Rule 44 Deferred Partial Payments of Judgments by Defendants

When a defendant owes money from a court judgment, the magistrate court can allow them to pay it off in smaller amounts over time instead of all at once. To get this option, the defendant must fill out a financial statement showing their income, expenses, and what they own. The court uses this information to decide how much the person can reasonably pay each month.

The payment plan is not automatic. The court looks at the defendant's financial situation and sets a payment schedule based on what the person can actually afford. The plaintiff (the person who won the case) still gets paid, just over a longer period of time.

If the defendant misses a payment, the court can take away the payment plan option. The full remaining balance could then become due right away. It is the defendant's responsibility to make payments on time and keep up with the schedule the court sets.