Court Filing Fees Go Up in California

Effective Immediately, filing fees in California courts have increased as follows:

• First appearance in an Unlimited Civil action (over $25,000), Family Law Petitions and Probate Petitions by plaintiff(s) and each defendant will increase to $395. This fee increase applies to all types of filings in which the previous fee was $355 (civil, probate, family, etc.);
• First appearance in a Limited action ($10,000 up to $25,000) by plaintiff(s) and each defendant will increase to $370;
• First appearance in a Limited action (under $10,000) by plaintiff(s) and each defendant will increase to $220.

Note: the above fees do not include the additional fees required for Unlawful Detainer filings (additional $15) or the surcharges imposed in Riverside County, San Bernardino County or the City and County of San Francisco.

• Motion for Summary Judgment/Adjudication will increase to $500.
• Application by counsel to appear Pro Hac Vice will increase to $500.
• Adds an additional $3 penalty to every parking violation.
• Additional increases in various criminal penalties and traffic fines.
• A fee for telephonic appearances (a fee payable to the court in addition to fees paid to vendors). This fee has not been determined yet.