Legal Definitions - poverty affidavit

A poverty affidavit is a written statement made by a person who is unable to pay for legal services or court fees. This person is called an indigent person. The affidavit is used to request public assistance, appointmentof counsel, waiver of court fees, or other free public services. It is also known as a pauper's affidavit, in forma pauperis affidavit, or IFP affidavit.

For example, if someone cannot afford to pay for a lawyer to represent them in court, they can fill out a poverty affidavit to request a court-appointed lawyer. The affidavit will include information about their income, expenses, and assets to show that they cannot afford to pay for a lawyer.

Another example is if someone wants to file a lawsuit but cannot afford to pay the court fees. They can fill out a poverty affidavit to request a waiver of the fees. The affidavit will show that they are indigent and cannot afford to pay the fees.