**EXHIBIT10.9**

 

**AMENDED AND RESTATED**

**PROMISSORY NOTE**

 

 

FORVALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, **C. WAYNE CAPE**(“Borrower”), promises to pay to the order of **OPTIO SOFTWARE, INC.**, a Georgia corporation (the “Lender”), in lawful money of the United States of America constitutinglegal tender in payment of all debts and dues, public and private, the principal amount of Eighty-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($87,300.00) plus interest due on such amount from the date hereof until this Promissory Note (this“Note”) is repaid in full as set forth below. 

 

**1.****Interest.**Interest on the Principal Amount outstanding shall accrue at a fixed rate equal to nine percent (9%) per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year. 

 

**2. Payment.**

 

(a) Borrower shall pay to Lender the principal and interestof this Note in bi-monthly installments of $500.00 beginning February 28, 2002 and continuing thereafter on the fifteenth (15th) day of each month and on the last day of each month, until December 31, 2002. 

 

(b) In the event all principal and interest due hereunder isnot paid in full on or before January 1, 2003, Borrower shall pay to Lender the principal and interest of this Note in bi-monthly installments of $6,139.43 beginning January 15, 2003 and continuing thereafter on the fifteenth (15th) day of eachmonth and on the last day of each month, until July 15, 2003 with a final payment of the balance of all principal and interest due hereunder on July 31, 2003. 

 

(c) Upon the closing of the sale of Borrower’s residence located at 510 Avala Ct., Alpharetta, Georgia, the balance of all principaland interest due hereunder shall be paid in full. 

 

(d) Borrower acknowledges and agrees that for so long as that certain Transition Services Agreement between Borrower and Lender dated August 1, 2001 (the “Transition Services Agreement”) is effective, Lender may, but is notobligated to, set off the amounts due from Borrower hereunder against Borrower’s monthly Base Salary and any other amounts due to Borrower thereunder. Borrower further acknowledges and agrees that any set off by Lender against amounts payableunder the Transition Services Agreement shall not be deemed a default by Lender under such agreement. Lender’s willingness to offset such periodic payments shall not at any time impair Lender’s right to demand direct payment of any one ormore payments due hereunder. 

 

(e) If any of theforegoing dates is not a day on which banks are open for business in the state of Georgia (a “Business Day”), Borrower shall make such payment on or before the next day that is a Business Day. 

 

**3. Events of Default.**Without notice, except asexpressly provided herein, the following will be deemed events of default (“Events of Default”) under this Note: 

 

(a) Failure onthe part of the Borrower to observe or perform any of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Borrower in this Note; provided that written notice of such failure is given to the Borrower by Lender and such failure continues unremedied for aperiod of five (5) days from Lender’s giving of such notice; 

 

(b) Entry of a decree or order by a court of competent jurisdiction for relief in respect of either of the Borrower in any involuntary case under applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws now or hereafter ineffect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Borrower or any substantial part of the Borrower’s assets if such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for aperiod of ten days; or 

 

(c) Commencement by theBorrower of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent by the Borrower to the entry of an order for relief in any involuntary case under any such law or to the appointmentof or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Borrower or any substantial part of the Borrower’s property, or any general assignment by the Borrower for the benefit of creditors,or failure by the Borrower generally to pay the Borrower’s debts as they become due. 

 

If any Event of Default should occur, the entire indebtedness evidenced hereby shall immediately and without notice begin to accrue interest at a rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum and, Lender may,without demand or notice, at any time (unless all defaults shall theretofore have been fully remedied) declare the entire unpaid principal and interest of this Note immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice.

 

**4. Prepayment**. This Note may be prepaidin whole or in part without penalty, provided that any partial prepayment shall be in integral multiples of $1,000.00. All payments received hereunder shall be applied first to expenses or default interest, if any, then to interest to the extentthen accrued and then to principal. 

 

**5.Waivers**. Borrower hereby waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest and diligence in collection or bringing suit and agree that the holder hereof may accept partial payment, or release or exchangesecurity or collateral, without discharging or releasing any unreleased collateral or the obligations evidenced hereby. Borrower further waives any and all rights of exemption, both as to personal and real property, under the constitution or laws ofthe United States or the State of Georgia. 

 

**6.Attorneys’ Fees**. Borrower agrees to pay reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs actually incurred by the holder hereof in collecting on this Note, whether by suit or otherwise. 

 

**7. Unconditional Payment.** Borrower is and shall be obligated to pay principal and any and all otheramounts which become payable hereunder absolutely and unconditionally and without any abatement, postponement, diminution or deduction and without any reduction for counterclaim or setoff. In the event that at any time any payment received by Lenderhereunder shall be deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been a voidable preference or fraudulent conveyance under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other debtor relief law, then the obligation to make such payment shall survive anycancellation or satisfaction of this Note or return thereof to Borrower and shall not be discharged or satisfied with any prior payment thereof or cancellation of this Note, but shall remain a valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordancewith the terms and provisions hereof, and such payment shall be immediately due and payable upon demand. 

 

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**8.Miscellaneous**. As used herein, the terms “Borrower,” “Lender” and “holder” shall be deemed to include their respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, whether by voluntary action of the parties or byoperation of law. This Note is given under the seal of the party hereto, and it is intended that this Note is and shall constitute and have the effect of a sealed instrument according to law. This Note has been negotiated, and is being executed anddelivered in the State of Georgia, or if executed elsewhere, shall become effective upon the Lender’s receipt and acceptance of the executed original of this Note in the State of Georgia; provided, however, that the Lender shall have noobligation to give, nor shall Borrower be entitled to receive, any notice of such acceptance for this Note to become a binding obligation of Borrower. Borrower hereby submits to jurisdiction in the State of Georgia. This Note shall be governed byand be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. It is intended, and the Borrower and the holder hereof specifically agree, that the laws of the State of Georgia governing interest shall apply to this Note and to thistransaction. This Note may not be modified except by written agreement signed by the Borrower and the holder hereof, or by their respective successors or assigns. 

 

**9. Time of Essence.** TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE in connection with this Note. 

 

**10. No Novation.** This Note is the consolidation,amendment, and restatement of certain obligations of Borrower previously payable to Lender and is not intended to be, nor shall it be deemed or construed to be, a novation of such previous obligations. ****

 

**IN WITNESS WHEREOF**, Borrower has caused this Note to beexecuted and delivered as of the date first set forth above. 

 
    
**BORROWER:**

/S/ WARRENNEUBERGER         
   
/s/    C. WAYNECAPE        

Witness
   
C. Wayne Cape

 

 

 

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