What is a default judgment?

A default judgment is a court decision that is made when a person or party (called the defendant) does not take action to defend themselves in a court case. In South Carolina, a default judgment is used to settle consumer debt defense cases. In this type of case, the plaintiff (the party who initiated the case) will claim that the defendant owes a certain sum of money, and the defendant must either admit that he or she owes the money or defend themselves in court. If the defendant does not respond to the petition within the time allotted by the court (usually 30 days), the court may enter a default judgment against the defendant. A default judgment essentially acknowledges that the defendant owes the debt and legally requires the defendant to pay it in full. Failure to do so can result in the plaintiff obtaining a court order that forces the defendant to pay the debt, and even garnish the defendant’s wages if necessary. It is important to note that the defendant still has the right to challenge the judgment, but must act quickly in order to do so.

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