The Alaska Court System is increasing existing fees and adding new ones beginning Aug. 1.
The fee hikes are the result of the state’s budget woes, said Haines Court clerk Bonnie Hedrick, and revenues will go into the state’s general fund.
The changes include a new $25 fee for appointing a marriage commissioner and a new $50 fee for a writ of execution. A writ of execution essentially forces a person to pay a fine or judgment when they won’t do so voluntarily (this allows plaintiffs access to the debtors’ bank accounts, Permanent Fund Dividend and other personal property).
Magistrate John Hutchins said the new writ of execution fee could affect the minor offenses ordinance currently under consideration by the Haines Borough, which lists offenses with fines ranging from $25 to $500.
The $50 writ of execution fee is not recoverable from the debtor, so the borough would have to spend $50 to go after every person who doesn’t pay his or her ticket, Hutchins said.
There will also be a new $50 fee for filing a motion to modify child custody, visitation or child support arrangements.
Copy fees are increasing to $5 per document, and the notarization fee is increasing from $3 to $5.
The Haines postmaster can notarize documents for free.