§ 24-16. Answers--Requests for Time to Pay

(a)A defendant, unless the judicial authority shall otherwise order, shall be defaulted and judgment shall enter in accordance with the provisions of Section 24-24, unless such defendant shall, personally or by representative, not later than the answer date, file an answer or file a motion to transfer pursuant to Section 21-21. The answer should state fully and specifically, but in concise and untechnical form, such parts of the claim as are contested, and the grounds thereof, provided that an answer of general denial shall be sufficient for purposes of this section. Each defendant shall send a copy of the answer to each plaintiff and shall certify on the answer form that the defendant has done so, including the address(es) to which a copy has been mailed. Upon the filing of an answer the clerk shall set the matter down for hearing by the judicial authority.

(b)A defendant who admits the claim but desires time in which to pay may state that fact in the answer, with reasons to support this request, on or before the time set for answering, and may suggest a method of payment which he or she can afford. The request for a proposed method of payment shall be considered by the judicial authority in determining whether there shall be a stay of execution to permit deferred payment or an order of payment. The judicial authority in its discretion may require that a hearing be held concerning such request.