Cooper v. Countryman

Filing 41

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER re 36 MOTION for Leave to Appeal in forma pauperis filed by Jay Sandon Cooper. Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that Appellant Jay Cooper's Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Dkt. #36) is hereby DENIED. Appellant is ORDERED to pay the filing fee no later than June 25, 2015. If Appellant fails to pay the filing fee by that date, then the appeal will be dismissed with prejudice. Signed by Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on 6/10/2015. (kls, )

United States District Court
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
SHERMAN DIVISION

JAY SANDON COOPER

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V.
JANNA L. COUNTRYMAN, ET AL.

CASE NO. 4:14-CV-582
Judge Mazzant

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Pending before the Court is Appellant Jay Cooper’s Motion to Proceed In Forma
Pauperis (Dkt. #36). After considering the motion, the Court finds it should be denied.
BACKGROUND
Appellant, Jay Sandon Cooper, filed this motion to proceed in forma pauperis. On
October 21, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court denied Appellant’s motion (Dkt. #27) finding that
Appellant’s bankruptcy appeal lacked a good faith basis and that Plaintiff did not meet the
financial requirements for the appeal. On November 21, 2014, Appellant filed the instant
motion.
ANALYSIS
An appeal from a final order of a bankruptcy court is taken in the same manner as appeals
from federal district courts. See 28 U.S.C. § 158(c)(2). The standards governing in forma
pauperis motions are set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

The Court may authorize the

commencement of a civil action without the prepayment of fees or costs “by a person who makes
an affidavit that he is unable to pay such costs or giver security therefor.”
1915(a)(1).

28 U.S.C. §

The Court must examine the financial condition of the applicant in order to

determine whether the payment of fees would cause an undue financial hardship. Prows v.
Kastner, 842 F.2d 138, 140 (5th Cir. 1988). The statute also authorizes courts to dismiss an in

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forma pauperis action if the allegation of poverty is untrue or if the action or appeal (i) is
frivolous or malicious; (ii) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (iii) seeks
monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2).
Appellant appears in this Court pro se. Appellant’s affidavit indicates that neither he nor
his spouse are currently employed, and his last date of employment was approximately July of
2011 (Dkt. #36, Ex. A). Appellant does receive approximately $2,588.00 a month from a
pension. Id. Appellant claims he has $2,161.00 in monthly expenses; however, this amount
includes $790.00 in utilities (electricity, heating fuel, water, sewer, and phone), which Appellant
states he has not had water or gas in his home since 2008. Id. In addition, Appellant notes that
his house has been sold in foreclosure, yet he includes an amount of $200.00 in “homeowner’s or
renter’s insurance.” Id. Appellant also includes variable legal expenses for online research and
postage. Regardless, Appellant’s monthly income is $2,588.00, and his expenses are $2,161.00,
leaving $427.00 a month. The specific fees and costs at issue total only $298.00. See 28 U.S.C.
§ 1930 (Judicial Conference Schedule of Fees, effective December 1, 2014); see also 28 U.S.C. §
1930(c) (adding a $5 fee to the filing of a notice of appeal). The Appellant’s affidavit in support
of his in forma pauperis request, even accepted at face value, appears to show that he has the
funds to pay these costs. See Prows, 842 F.2d at 140 (“Section 1915 is intended to provide
access to federal courts for plaintiffs who lack the financial resources to pay any part of the
statutory filing costs.”). Accordingly, the Court finds Appellant’s motion to proceed in forma
pauperis should be denied.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that Appellant Jay Cooper’s Motion to Proceed
In Forma Pauperis (Dkt. #36) is hereby DENIED.

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Appellant is ORDERED to pay the filing fee no later than June 25, 2015. If Appellant
fails to pay the filing fee by that date, then the appeal will be dismissed with prejudice.
SIGNED this 10th day of June, 2015.

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AMOS L. MAZZANT
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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