Conrad, Catherine v. Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C. et al

Filing 3

ORDER on ifp request: Complaint taken under advisement for screening. Signed by Magistrate Judge Stephen L. Crocker on 8/1/11. (elc),(ps)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN

CATHERINE CONRAD,
Plaintiff,
v.

ORDER
11-cv-539-bbc

BELL, MOORE & RICHTER, S.C.,
BILL ABBOTT, BILL WILLIAMS,
MARK FUHRMAN, KELLY STOHR,
JESSICA ZERBST, CHANTELLE RINGE,
ABC INSURANCE COMPANY for Bell, Moore & Richter, S.C.,
ABC INSURANCE COMPANY for Mark Fuhrman and Lathrop & Clark
and ABC INSURANCE COMPANY for Jessica Zerbst and
Devoss & Zerbst law firm
Defendants.

This is a proposed civil action filed by plaintiff Catherine Conrad in which she is suing
her former legal counsel for professional negligence and breach of contract. Plaintiff has asked
for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and has supported her request with an affidavit of indigency.
The standard for determining whether plaintiff qualifies for indigent status is the following:
!

From plaintiff’s annual gross income, the court subtracts $3700 for each
dependent excluding the plaintiff.

!

If the balance is less than $16,000, the plaintiff may proceed without any
prepayment of fees and costs.

!

If the balance is greater than $16,000 but less than $32,000, the plaintiff must
prepay half the fees and costs.

!

If the balance is greater than $32,000, the plaintiff must prepay all fees and costs.

!

Substantial assets or debts require individual consideration.

In this case, plaintiff’s monthly income is $750, which makes her annual income $9,000.

Because plaintiff’s income is less than $16,000, she can proceed without any prepayment of fees
or costs.
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that plaintiff Catherine Conrad’s complaint is taken under
advisement. As soon as the court’s calendar permits, plaintiff’s complaint will be screened
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 to determine whether the case must be dismissed either because
the complaint is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted or
seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief. Plaintiff will be
notified promptly when such a decision has been made. In the meantime, if plaintiff needs to
communicate with the court about this case, she should be sure to write the case number shown
above on her communication.

Entered this 1 st day of August, 2011.
BY THE COURT:
/s/
STEPHEN L. CROCKER
M agistrate Judge

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