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HOPE. DIGNITY. JUSTICE.

A Judge?s permission is required before the Clerk will file papers without advance payment. Click here for a form to make a written request to get the Judge?s permission. Note that a complete summary of your financial situation should be included as part of your request.

Once your Application For Deferral of Fees, Costs, or Security is ready, take it to the Clerk of Court along with your completed Original Notice. At that point, the Clerk can either arrange to have your written request considered by a Judge, or arrange for you to take it before a Judge yourself. The Judge may not have to grant your request, even if you are quite poor, but such requests are often granted. If your money situation is really tight, it?s worth a try.

In filling out your Application for Deferral of Fees, Costs and Security you do need to include a short statement of the nature of your lawsuit. This is to let the Judge know briefly why you are filing an action in Small Claim Court. In describing your lawsuit, all you need to do is state the reason you are bringing it. Examples of reasons include breach on contract, withholding of security deposit, or request for return of personal property.

READ THIS BEFORE USING ANY PART OF THE IOWA LEGAL AID WEBSITE (ILAW) If you cannot afford a lawyer and have a legal problem in Iowa, you may be able to get free legal help. Call Iowa Legal Aid. To find out which office serves your county, call 1-800-532-1275 or 515-243-2151 in the Des Moines calling area. If you are age 60 or over, you may be able to get free legal advice from The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161 or 282-8161 in Des Moines. All numbers are Voice and TTY.

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