A default judgment in New York can be entered against you if you fail to respond to a lawsuit in time. Once entered, your bank account can be frozen and your wages garnished. Here is how to avoid it — for free.
A default judgment is a court ruling entered against a defendant who fails to respond to a lawsuit within the required time. In New York debt cases, if you do not file a written answer before the deadline, the plaintiff's attorney simply applies to the court for a default judgment — and it is typically granted without any hearing.
The only way to avoid a default judgment is to file your written answer before the deadline. In New York, you generally have 20 days if personally served, or 30 days if served by other means. Our free tool builds your complete answer in minutes.
If a default was already entered against you, you may be able to file a motion to vacate the default judgment — especially if you were not properly served, had a reasonable excuse, or have a meritorious defense. Contact EasyLegalFiling.com for help.
Enter your name, the plaintiff's name, county, and index number from your summons. The form updates in real time.
Check the defenses that apply to your case — identity theft, paid debt, statute of limitations, wrong amount, and more.
Download your completed answer, sign it, make copies, serve the plaintiff's attorney, and file with the court clerk.
Don't let them get a default judgment. Build and download your completed written answer in minutes — at no cost.
⚡ Start My Free Answer Now →