Watch Your Wallets -- Fee Increases Galore

As part of the new State Budget, a large number of filing fee increases are rolling out in the California trial and appellate courts. Most become effective August 18, 2003, but increased court reporter fees are effective immediately -- including and extra $25.00 per party payable at the time of each one's first appearance.

Other increases (effective the 18th) include

*A new fee of $550 per party whenever a case is designated as "complex";
*An increase in ordinary motion fees from $23.00 to at least $36.30 [actual cost varies from county to county, depending on local surcharges];
*An increase in the fee for summary judgment motions from $100 to $165; and
*An increase in the cost of a Notice of Appeal (to the Court of Appeal) from $265 to $655.

Follow the link for a complete list of increases prepared by the Judicial Council.