Opinion
Case No. 17-cv-00626-BAS-MDD
04-11-2017
DEBORAH TUCK, Plaintiff, v. MERCHANTS CREDIT ASSOCIATION, Defendant.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS
[ECF No. 2]
On March 28, 2017, Plaintiff Deborah Tuck, proceeding pro se, commenced this action against Defendant Merchants Credit Association alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227, et seq., the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692, et seq., and the California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Cal. Civ. Code § 1788, et seq. (ECF No. 1.) On the same day, Plaintiff also filed a motion seeking leave to proceed in forma pauperis ("IFP"). (ECF No. 2.) For the reasons discussed below, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's motion to proceed IFP.
The determination of indigency falls within the district court's discretion. Cal. Men's Colony v. Rowland, 939 F.2d 854, 858 (9th Cir. 1991), rev'd on other grounds, 506 U.S. 194 (1993) (holding that "Section 1915 typically requires the reviewing court to exercise its sound discretion in determining whether the affiant has satisfied the statute's requirement of indigency"). It is well-settled that a party need not be completely destitute to proceed in forma pauperis. Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339-40 (1948). To satisfy the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), "an affidavit [of poverty] is sufficient which states that one cannot because of his poverty pay or give security for costs . . . and still be able to provide himself and dependents with the necessities of life." Id. at 339. At the same time, however, "the same even-handed care must be employed to assure that federal funds are not squandered to underwrite, at public expense, . . . the remonstrances of a suitor who is financially able, in whole or in material part, to pull his own oar." Temple v. Ellerthorpe, 586 F. Supp. 848, 850 (D.R.I. 1984).
District courts, therefore, tend to reject IFP applications where the applicant can pay the filing fee with acceptable sacrifice to other expenses. See e.g., Stehouwer v. Hennessey, 841 F. Supp. 316, 321 (N.D. Cal. 1994), vacated in part on other grounds, Olivares v. Marshall, 59 F.3d 109 (9th Cir. 1995) (finding that a district court did not abuse its discretion in requiring a partial fee payment from a prisoner who had a $14.61 monthly salary and who received $110 per month from family). Moreover, "in forma pauperis status may be acquired and lost during the course of litigation." Wilson v. Dir. of Div. of Adult Insts., No. CIV S-06-0791, 2009 WL 311150, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Feb. 9, 2009) (citing Stehouwer, 841 F. Supp. at 321); see also Allen v. Kelly, 1995 WL 396860, at *2 (N.D. Cal. June 29, 1995) (holding that a plaintiff who was initially permitted to proceed in forma pauperis should be required to pay his $120 filing fee out of a $900 settlement). Finally, the facts as to the affiant's poverty must be stated "with some particularity, definiteness, and certainty." United States v. McQuade, 647 F.2d 938, 940 (9th Cir. 1981).
Having read and considered Plaintiff's IFP application, the Court finds that Plaintiff meets the requirements in 28 U.S.C. § 1915 for IFP status. Plaintiff is unemployed and unable to work because of disability. (IFP Mot. ¶ 11.) Plaintiff states that her monthly income is approximately $876.00, and that she has $80.00 on hand, but her monthly expenses total $1,440.00, including $650.00 for rent. (IFP Mot. ¶¶ 1, 4, 8.) Moreover, although Plaintiff indicates that she and her husband each own an automobile, she also attests that her only checking account is overdrawn by $400.00. (Id. ¶¶ 4, 5.) Thus, taking into account Plaintiff's overall financial picture, the Court finds that requiring Plaintiff to pay the court filing fees in this case would impair her ability to meet basic living expenses. See Adkins, 335 U.S. at 339.
In light of the foregoing, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. (ECF No. 2.) However, if it appears at any time in the future that Plaintiff's financial picture has improved for any reason, the Court will direct Plaintiff to pay the filing fee to the Clerk of the Court. This includes any recovery Plaintiff may realize from this suit or others, and any assistance Plaintiff may receive from family or the government.
The Clerk of the Court is directed to issue a summons in this action so that Plaintiff may serve the complaint on Defendant.
IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: April 11, 2017
/s/ _________
Hon. Cynthia Bashant
United States District Judge