Fee statements are on the way: members may pay their fees online at floridabar.org.

Florida Bar members are now receiving their 2008-09 fee statements, reflecting no increase in annual fees and only minor modifications to the form.

The fees are payable July 1 and are late after August 15.

Members will receive one of two fee statements: one designed for active members and another for those who have elected inactive status. Annual fees are $265. Inactive members pay $175.

Bar Finance Director Allen Martin reminds members that the fee statement is two-sided and must be completed both front and back and be mailed along with their payments to cover their fees and sections joined.

Under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, fees postmarked after August 15 will be assessed a $50 late fee. Members whose payment is not received by September 30 will be deemed delinquent. The delinquency may be cleared by petitioning the Bar, paying the fees, the late fee, and a $150 reinstatement fee.

Members have the option to complete their annual fee statement and pay their fees online via the Bar's Web site at floridabar.org, an option exercised by more than 12,700 members last year, up from 10,700 the previous year. But to do so, members must first be registered on the Bar's Web site. If members have not registered, they can go to www. floridabar.org, click on the "register" link, and then follow the prompts. Instructions for paying Bar fees online also are included with the paper form mailed to members' official Bar addresses.

Those who chose inactive status on last year's statement will receive an inactive membership fee statement this year. It has many of the same features as the active membership fee statement, but does not allow the inactive member to join sections.

By choosing inactive status, Bar members will reduce their annual fees by $90 and receive automatic exemptions from continuing legal education requirements. They will, however, give up a number of privileges, including the privilege to practice or advise on Florida law or hold a job that requires a Florida law license; to participate in the Bar's certification program; to vote in Bar elections or be counted for purposes of apportionment of the Board of Governors; and to receive Bar publications, including the Journal and annual directory.

Inactive members continue to receive the News. Inactive members who wish to become active again must call the Bar's Membership Records Department at [phone] or [phone], ext. 5832.