PSB – FEES/COSTS MEMORANDUM

Please be advised that all “PSB” clients are low-income and are required to notify our office and their pro bono attorney if their financial situation changes.   All clients are informed that they are responsible for any additional costs associated with their case, as the project does not cover costs. However, in limited circumstances a small amount of funds may be available to help our pro bono attorneys litigate certain cases for especially needy clients but all request must be pre-approved by Karen Ladis, Director. Statutorily mandated and court ordered fees MUST be returned to “PSB” to help fund our pro bono project.

The Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status is the official court document which MUST be filed with the Clerk of Court in order to waive payment of filing fees. Once an Affidavit of Indigency is filed, the Clerk of Court waives certain costs in each case. To defer the prepayment or any other cost as/and for sheriff costs, copies, mediation costs and/or legal publication costs you must enroll in the clerk’s office payment plan. PSB may help to obtain reduced or free costs for services such as private process servers, court reporters, expert witnesses, investigators, mediators, mentors and translators. The majority of firms and lawyers will absorb costs related to handling pro bono cases such as translators, court reporters, etc. A limited reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses is available in cases where neither the client nor attorney are able to pay for these costs.  All pro bono attorneys must fill out, in advance, a proposed budget and request for reimbursement detailing the purpose and the amount requested and submit to kladis@dadelegalaid.org.  If approved, PSB will reimburse only after the attorney submits receipts of approved expenditures. We do  NOT reimburse for couriers, photocopies, publication, service of process, postage, secretaries, paralegals, long distance, parking, tolls, faxes or filing fees. Only preapproved costs may be reimbursed. 

For a list of vendors, please contact “PSB” at (305)-579-5733 ext. 2252.  When you call a vendor, please identify yourself as a pro bono attorney and they will provide services free of charge or on a low fee basis.  “PSB” cannot reimburse you if you pre-pay for any above services.  In cases where you have prior approval, please tell the vendor to invoice “PSB” directly in order for us to promptly process the bill.

Click HERE to submit a PSB Pro Bono Service/Costs Request.

* FLORIDA CASE LAW PERMITS AWARDING ATTORNEYS FEES IN PRO BONO CASES    (Butler v. Butler, 376 So. 2d 287 (Fla. 5th DCA 1979).  PLEASE SEEK TO RECOVER FEES AND COSTS FROM THE OPPOSING SIDE WHENEVER POSSIBLE.  THIS ALLOWS US TO SERVE MANY MORE NEEDY CLIENTS – (Click Here)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

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