How do I... Pay my 2020 enrollment fees

Each year, Missouri lawyers receive an annual enrollment fee statement and invoice from the Supreme Court of Missouri in the mail. As you pay your enrollment fees, do you ever wonder what they are used for?  

For every dollar, 63 cents go toward the operation of The Missouri Bar, 25 cents support the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel and 12 cents is directed to Legal Services.  

In exchange, Missouri Bar members receive benefits and discounts from law practice-related companies totaling a savings of nearly $1,000 a year. This includes free, unlimited legal research via Fastcase; access to The Missouri Bar Private Insurance Exchange; savings on billing software; discounts on travel costs; and much more, all negotiated to help you even better serve your clients. (You can learn more about all the benefits and services available to you in the Missouri Bar’s Member Benefits and Services Guide.) 

The deadline for paying your 2020 enrollment fees is Jan. 31, 2020. As you prepare to complete the process, keep the following tips in mind: 

The process changed last year, in a great way In an effort to better serve lawyers, The Missouri Bar performed a significant technology update. This included changes to the enrollment fee online process. To start, sign in to fees.mobar.org. This part of our website features the enrollment fee process, plus options for viewing your statement, balance and receipt. It’s also a spot for answers to frequently asked enrollment fee questions. 

You can save time by paying online You’re always welcome to pay via U.S. Mail, but if you’re in a hurry or have procrastinated (it happens!), paying your fees online may be the better option. The Missouri Bar now offers an eCheck option for just a 50-cent fee (that’s less than a stamp). There is also a credit card payment option that carries a processing fee of 2.15% which is charged by the online service provider contracted by the State of Missouri.  

Paying late has consequences If you’re delinquent in payment of fees, you’ll owe $50 as a penalty. For each additional month you delay payment, you’ll incur a $5 charge. If you fail to pay your enrollment fees at all, you will face automatic suspension. Lawyers who are delinquent for three consecutive years are required to apply to the court under Rule 5.28 for reinstatement as a member in good standing. 

Going inactive isn’t always the best answer Perhaps you’ve changed professions or retired and aren’t sure you want to continue paying annual enrollment fees. Going inactive to simply avoid fees for a time, however, might not be in your best interest. Changing your status to inactive means you can’t practice law in the state, and it limits your access to practice tools and resources, including Fastcase, as well as prohibits you from voting in elections for the board of governors. Advance planning is needed to avoid delays when returning to practice under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 6.06 (which provides for a lawyer to again be eligible to practice law in Missouri).  

You might not owe anything In most cases, if you’ve been licensed to practice in Missouri for 50 or more years or are 75 years of age or older, you are excused from paying fees. Retired judges and court commissioners are also exempt from payment. 

We want to make your enrollment fee payment process as convenient as possible. To find answers to even more questions, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.