A party seeking a California Code of Civil Procedure Section 585 default against another party must take the following steps to start the process. (3) File an Application For Entry of Default.Use this checklist to complete your default judgment prior to filing it with the court. Contact the court clerk to obtain a date for a "proveup" hearing. Appear on the hearing date and "prove-up" your damages before the judge. I have a Default Prove-up Trial coming up in California. Contact the court clerk to obtain a date for a "proveup" hearing. Appear on the hearing date and "prove-up" your damages before the judge. Following the hearing, the judge will enter a default judgment. The first step in obtaining a default judgment is for the plaintiff to formally request an entry of a defendant's default.