What happens if you ignore a lawsuit?
Ignoring a lawsuit does not make it go away — it typically results in the court entering a default judgment against you, granting the plaintiff the relief they requested without any opposition. That judgment is then enforceable through collection methods such as wage garnishment, bank levies, or property liens, and undoing a default judgment after the fact is generally much harder than responding on time.
Why Silence Is Treated as a Concession
Civil procedure generally assumes that a defendant who has been properly served and does not respond within the required deadline has effectively chosen not to contest the allegations. Courts do not investigate the truth of unopposed claims the way they would in a fully litigated case.
This means the plaintiff's version of events, as stated in the complaint, is typically accepted for purposes of entering judgment, even if a response would have raised valid defenses or disputed key facts — the opportunity to raise them was available but not used.
How a Default Judgment Is Entered
After the response deadline passes without any answer or appearance, the plaintiff can typically request that the court clerk or judge enter a default, and then move for a default judgment specifying the relief awarded, which in many cases can be entered without a further hearing.
Depending on the type of claim, the amount awarded may be exactly what was requested in the complaint, or the court may hold a brief hearing to determine damages, particularly for claims that are not for a clear, fixed sum.
Consequences Beyond the Judgment Itself
Once entered, a default judgment carries the same collection power as any other judgment, allowing the plaintiff to pursue wage garnishment, bank account levies, and property liens depending on jurisdiction and applicable exemptions.
A default judgment can also affect credit reports and future ability to obtain financing, and in some cases can lead to additional legal costs being added to the amount owed, since the plaintiff's attorney fees and court costs in obtaining the default are sometimes recoverable as well.
Options After Ignoring a Lawsuit
It is sometimes possible to have a default judgment set aside, typically by showing good cause, such as improper service, excusable neglect, or a meritorious defense that was never presented, but courts generally require a prompt motion and a persuasive explanation for the failure to respond.
Because setting aside a default judgment is uncertain and adds further cost and delay, the far more reliable path is responding to the lawsuit within the original deadline, even if only to request more time or file a preliminary challenge to the complaint.
- Can a default judgment be reversed?
- Sometimes, if the defendant can show good cause such as improper service or excusable neglect, and typically only if they act promptly after learning of the judgment. It is not guaranteed and is generally harder than responding on time in the first place.
- Will ignoring a small claims lawsuit still result in a default judgment?
- Yes. The same basic principle applies in small claims court — failing to appear or respond by the required deadline can result in a default judgment against you, which remains enforceable even though the case involves a smaller amount.
This page is an educational explainer, not legal advice, and creates no attorney–client relationship. Juricratic is a simulation engine: every probability-like figure is a dial you set, not a calibrated prediction. Verify every rule, deadline, and figure against the authorities and orders that govern your matter.
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