If the court does not have an automated means of handling installment payments, what should be used?

• A. A phone-based system is required.
• B. If the court does not have an automated means of handling and keeping up with installment payments, some sort of manual system should be used.
• C. No tracking is necessary.
• D. A private third-party system must be used.

Answer: (B)

When there’s no automated way to handle installment payments, you need a reliable manual system to track and manage them. A manual system provides an auditable record of every payment—who paid, when it was paid, the amount, the remaining balance, and the payment status. It also allows staff to issue receipts and regularly reconcile records with the court’s accounts, which is essential for enforcement and accuracy. Without this tracking, payments could be misapplied, lost, or forgotten, making it hard to enforce the agreement and provide clear records to the court and the borrower.

A phone-based system or a private third-party system could be used if available, but they aren’t required. The key point is having a verifiable, organized manual process in place to ensure accountability and proper stewardship of funds. Not tracking payments would create gaps in enforcement and financial records, which is why a manual system is the appropriate approach when automation isn’t available.