Legal Definitions - Post-answer default judgment

A Post-answer default judgment occurs when a court rules in favor of the plaintiff (the party who initiated the lawsuit) because the defendant, despite having formally responded to the initial complaint, subsequently fails to participate in a critical stage of the legal process. This means the defendant filed an "answer" or other responsive pleading, acknowledging the lawsuit and perhaps even outlining a defense, but then later failed to appear at trial, respond to court orders, or otherwise present their case to the court.

• Example 1: Small Business Contract Dispute

  A graphic design firm sues a client for unpaid services. The client initially files a document with the court, known as an "answer," stating that they believe the work was incomplete and therefore they don't owe the full amount. However, when the court schedules the trial date, the client, due to financial difficulties and a belief that the case is too small to warrant further legal fees, simply does not show up. The court then grants a Post-answer default judgment to the graphic design firm.

  How this illustrates the term: The client filed an "answer" to the lawsuit, but then defaulted by failing to appear at the scheduled trial to present their defense, leading to a judgment against them.

• Example 2: Personal Injury Claim

  After a minor car accident, one driver (the plaintiff) sues the other driver (the defendant) for damages. The defendant hires an attorney who files a timely "answer" with the court, denying fault and stating their intention to defend the case. However, several months later, the defendant loses contact with their attorney, fails to respond to court-ordered requests for information (discovery), and does not appear at a mandatory pre-trial conference. The judge, seeing the defendant's lack of participation after their initial response, enters a Post-answer default judgment in favor of the plaintiff.

  How this illustrates the term: The defendant initially filed an "answer" through their attorney, but then defaulted by failing to present a defense on the merits through subsequent participation in the legal process, such as responding to discovery or attending hearings.

• Example 3: Landlord-Tenant Eviction Case

  A landlord files an eviction lawsuit against a tenant for non-payment of rent. The tenant files an "answer" with the court, claiming that the apartment had uninhabitable conditions that justified withholding rent. The court then sets a hearing date for both parties to present their arguments. On the day of the hearing, the tenant, despite having filed their answer, does not appear in court to present evidence or testify. The judge, therefore, issues a Post-answer default judgment, allowing the landlord to proceed with the eviction.

  How this illustrates the term: The tenant filed an "answer" outlining their defense, but then defaulted by failing to appear at the hearing to present that defense, resulting in a judgment for the landlord.