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Val Martyn walked up to the counter at the Collier County clerk’s office, armed with documents so he could sue his landlord for large rent increases at an East Naples mobile home park.

But he wasn’t aware the state had increased court fees on July 1. Martyn walked away from the counter, holding the necessary documents to file a small claims suit, so he could mull whether it was worth it.

“These fees are exorbitant,” Martyn said, after joking with a clerk over whether the higher fee would guarantee his success. “I would imagine that being a novice at law, I’ve got maybe a 20 to 30 percent chance of winning. So I’d be gambling on a win.”

“I can’t afford this, much less that,” Martyn added, referring to rent and court fees.

The fee increases were prompted by Senate Bill 1790, the “fee bill,” which was signed by Gov. Charlie Crist and went into effect July 1. They help make up a shortfall in state funding for the judiciary and the state Department of Corrections and are expected to raise $121.1 million.

Mandatory $50 misdemeanor and $100 felony prosecution costs are intended to add $3.6 million for a state attorney trust fund. And a raise from a $40 mandatory public defender fee to $50 is expected to provide $1.5 million for a public defender trust fund.

Carol O’Callaghan, an attorney for Legal Aid Service of Collier County, said the increases make it more difficult for lower income people to file for dissolution of a marriage, a fee that jumped from $363 to $408.

“Almost all of my clients were daunted by this figure and several have chosen not to pursue court action,” said O’Callaghan, who specializes in family law cases and is the office’s assistant managing attorney. “This substantial increase is going to deter not just the poor, but the average citizen seeking the relief of the courts.”

The jumps in costs also could harm those in greatest need, she said, citing women in dire financial circumstances, such as abused wives fleeing homes for shelter and juggling low-paying jobs to support their children.

Drunk drivers in vehicles and boats also will be hard hit. The $250 to $500 fines for a first offense, $500 to $1,000 for a second, and $1,000 to $2,500 for a third will all double. And hunters hit with infractions, such as failure to bring a permit while hunting, will see those fees double to $10.

Dwight Brock, Collier County’s clerk of the courts, agrees the increases will prevent some citizens from accessing the court system. In some cases, services that required no charge, such as serving a summons, now will cost $10. Brock noted that in addition to deputies serving summonses, those filings generated a lot of paperwork for his employees.

“The new law raises a large number of filing fees and court costs and will have long-term implications on the entire court system,” Brock said.

Landlords wishing to evict tenants will pay a hefty $270 instead of $70 fee. And if you’re sued and want to fight back with a countersuit, you’ll have to pay $295 for something that once was free.

In addition to the statewide mandated increases, there are county charges that vary from county to county. Because Brock has been diligent in going after unpaid fees, he was given more than the standard 3 percent increase other counties received and obtained 5 percent. Two other counties received 4 percent increases. Those specific county increases go to the counties but the rest of the fee increases go to the state.

Brock’s employees spent hours preparing the computer system to accept the new fees and to subtract the increased portion so it goes to the state. One employee even delayed a vacation, Brock said, adding that the night before July 1, the computer system was ready to go and all employees had been trained on the increases.

O’Callaghan, who often works with victims of domestic violence who have fled abusive relationships, said it’s not uncommon for their spouses to have drained their financial resources — leaving the client with just a minimum-wage job to provide for their children. At 40 hours weekly, she noted, that brings in roughly $230 a week, making the $408 filing fee to dissolve a marriage almost half their monthly salary.

Even for people in the “direst of economic circumstances,” she said there are no waivers available for filing fees required to open a case. Although a payment plan is available for those who meet certain economic criteria, she said, just applying for it is $25.

And just like those being sued who want to countersue, spouses served with dissolution petitions who once could file an answer and counterpetition without charge now must pay $403.

“The increased filing fee will simply overwhelm many of my Legal Aid eligible clients, who are already under extreme economic and emotional stress,” she said. “There could be devastating consequences for these families — and thus to our community — when women and children cannot obtain the legal protections, support, and relief they are entitled to under the law to move forward with their lives.”