I was served and can't pay to file my written appearance...what happens now?

[bbrowne]

I need some help. I was served on Febraury 1st with a deadline to file my written appearance in court by Febraury 9th. The cost to file my appearance is $158 (I'm in Chicago, IL), which I don't have right now.

What happens if I show up to file my appearance but don't have the money for the fees? I probably don't qualify to have my fees waived. This just happens to fall between pay periods....

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

[justbroke]

What happens if I show up to file my appearance but don't have the money for the fees? I probably don't qualify to have my fees waived. This just happens to fall between pay periods....

Hopefully someone with experience in Illinois courts can help. If you could prove indigency, regardless of paycheck to paycheck, then they'd probably waive the fee.

You could just countersue and use the process for an indigent person. Filing the countersuit is just like an answer/appearance.