A. A person who wishes to exercise the privilege granted in this Chapter shall apply to the court for permission to do so in his first pleading, or in an ex parte written motion if requested later, to which the applicant shall annex the following:
(1) The applicant's affidavit that the applicant is unable to pay the costs of court in advance, or as they accrue, or to furnish security therefor, because of the applicant's poverty and lack of means, accompanied by any supporting documentation.
(2) The affidavit of a third person other than the applicant's attorney that he knows the applicant, knows the applicant's financial condition, and believes that the applicant is unable to pay the costs of court in advance, or as they accrue, or to furnish security therefor.
(3) A recommendation from the clerk of court's office as to whether or not it feels the litigant is in fact indigent, and thus unable to pay the cost of court in advance, or as they accrue, or to furnish security therefor, if required by local rule of the court.
B.(1) Upon the filing of the completed application and supporting affidavits, the court shall render an order that does one of the following:
(a) Grants the application and allows the applicant to litigate or to continue the litigation without paying the costs in advance.
(b) Denies the application with written reasons for such denial.
(c) Sets the matter for a contradictory hearing.
(2) The submission by the applicant of supporting documentation that the applicant is receiving public assistance benefits or that the applicant's income is less than or equal to one hundred twenty-five percent of the federal poverty level shall create a rebuttable presumption that the applicant is entitled to the privilege granted in this Chapter. If the court finds that the presumption has been rebutted, it shall provide written reasons for its finding.
(3) The court may reconsider its original order granting the application on its own motion at any time in a contradictory hearing.
Amended by Acts 1984, No. 456, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1122, §1, eff. July 14, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 1205, §1; Acts 2021, No. 416, §1.