What is a default judgment?

A default judgment is a court ruling that is issued when the defendant in a case does not respond to the lawsuit. In other words, they do not show up in court or submit any type of legal defense against the lawsuit. In Washington State, consumer debt defense law provides protection for individuals who are being sued by creditors or debt collectors. If a consumer has been served with a summons and complaint, they must file an answer to the complaint within the required amount of time or risk the creditor obtaining a default judgment against them. If a default judgment is issued, the creditor or debt collector is allowed to collect on the debt in a variety of ways, including freezing the person’s bank account, garnishing their wages, or placing a lien on their property. Default judgments can be difficult and expensive to have reversed, so it is important for consumers to respond as quickly as possible to any legal action taken against them.

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What is a default judgment?

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