Why Payment Plans Exist
Bail bond agents in Texas are licensed under the Texas Bail Bond Act (Occupations Code Chapter 1704), with licensing administered at the county level — in Ellis County, by the Ellis County Bail Bond Board. The bail bond fee itself is set by each company. Industry rates commonly run around 10% of the total bail amount, though specific rates vary by company. For example, at a 10% rate, a $10,000 bond would carry a $1,000 fee, and a $25,000 bond a $2,500 fee — amounts that many families dealing with a sudden arrest do not have available immediately.
Payment plans let bond filing happen once paperwork is complete and the balance get paid over time. The family pays a down payment plus scheduled installments rather than the full fee upfront.
How a Payment Plan Is Structured at Act Swift
Every payment plan is built around the family's actual situation. What works for a $1,500 misdemeanor bond differs from what works for a $50,000 felony bond.
Most plans involve a down payment paid at intake, followed by a series of weekly or biweekly installments until the balance is cleared. Down payment amount, installment schedule, and total term length are determined case-by-case based on the bond size, the cosigner's situation, and other factors discussed during intake.
What Affects Down Payment Size
The down payment is determined by several factors: the total bond amount, the cosigner's employment and income, length of residence in Ellis County, whether collateral is offered, and the defendant's history of court compliance. Strong cosigners with stable employment in Ellis County often qualify for lower down payments because the bond company's risk is reduced.
Have questions about the bail bond process in Ellis County? Our licensed agents are available right now — day or night.
Call (972) 923-0313No Money Down? What That Actually Means
"No money down" advertising is common in the bail bond industry. The phrase usually means a small symbolic payment at intake (sometimes as little as $0–$50), with the bulk of the fee structured into installments. It does not mean the fee disappears — the agreed bail bond fee must eventually be paid in full. What changes is the timing.
Act Swift Bail Bonds offers low and zero down payment arrangements for qualifying cosigners. Whether you qualify depends on your specific situation. We discuss eligibility openly during the intake call and never lock anyone into terms they did not understand or agree to.
What Happens If a Payment Is Missed
A missed payment does not automatically void the bond. The bond remains active with the court, and the defendant remains released, but the bail bond company may take steps to address the default — including additional collection efforts, contacting the cosigner, or in serious cases requesting bond surrender. Communication is everything: families who call us when they cannot make a scheduled payment almost always work out a revised schedule. Families who go silent are the ones who run into problems.
If you are on a payment plan with Act Swift Bail Bonds and need to adjust your schedule, call us. We work with families through hard months and we would much rather rework a plan than escalate a default.