4.9.1 Filing Fees

Filing fees may not be charged for civil protective order petitions or the issuance of a protective order.1  These rules obviate the need for protective order petitioners to seek in forma pauperis status. The petition, orders, and process are free for them. In addition, a court may not refuse to allow the filing of a protective order suit because of “unpaid” costs from a prior proceeding.2

• 1La. R.S. 46:2134(F); La. C.C.P. art. 3603.1.
• 2See Hawkins v. Jennings, 1997-1291, pp. 7–8 (La. App. 3 Cir. 3/6/98), 709 So. 2d 292, 295; Rochon v. Roemer, 93-CP-2444 (La. 1/7/94), 630 So. 2d 247, 248.