In deciding whether to set aside a default judgment, courts seek to balance two competing interests: (1) the need to promote judicial economy; and (2) the need to preserve an individual's right to defend on the merits. Therefore, in addition to the requirement that defendant show that the judgment was entered through excusable neglect or another statutory ground, the court will consider a variety of factors, including:
" the nature and extent of the prejudice which may be suffered by the non-defaulting party if the default is set aside;
" the presence of material issues of fact;
" the presence of a meritorious defense to the claim;
" the significance of the interests at stake, including, but not limited to, the amount of money involved;
" whether the failure to answer was intentional or willful or the result of conscious indifference;
" whether party or counsel bears responsibility for default; and
" the availability of less drastic sanctions.
A Virginia Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect is a legal process initiated by a party who wishes to have a default judgment against them overturned or set aside. This motion is typically filed in cases where a default judgment has been entered against a party due to their failure to respond to a lawsuit or appear in court. In Virginia, there are two different types of motions that can be filed to vacate or set aside a default judgment: one based on mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, and one based on newly discovered evidence. The first type of motion to vacate or set aside a default judgment is based on mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. This means that the party seeking to have the default judgment overturned must demonstrate that their failure to respond or appear in court was not intentional but rather due to a genuine mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. Examples of excusable neglect include a party being unaware of the lawsuit, suffering from a serious illness or personal emergency, or experiencing a miscommunication with their attorney. The second type of motion to vacate or set aside a default judgment is based on newly discovered evidence. In this case, the party seeking to have the default judgment overturned must present newly discovered evidence that was not available at the time the judgment was entered and that could have had a significant impact on the outcome of the case. This type of motion is typically filed when new evidence surfaces after the default judgment has been entered, which could potentially change the entire course of the litigation. To file a motion to vacate or set aside a default judgment in Virginia, the party must draft a written motion specifying the reasons for seeking relief and provide supporting evidence or affidavits to substantiate their claims. It is crucial to adhere to the specific rules and deadlines set by the Virginia court system in order to effectively present the motion. In summary, a Virginia Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect is a legal process used to challenge a default judgment based on various grounds as specified by Virginia law. It is crucial to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in Virginia civil procedure to navigate this process effectively and increase the chances of having the default judgment overturned or set aside.A Virginia Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect is a legal process initiated by a party who wishes to have a default judgment against them overturned or set aside. This motion is typically filed in cases where a default judgment has been entered against a party due to their failure to respond to a lawsuit or appear in court. In Virginia, there are two different types of motions that can be filed to vacate or set aside a default judgment: one based on mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, and one based on newly discovered evidence. The first type of motion to vacate or set aside a default judgment is based on mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. This means that the party seeking to have the default judgment overturned must demonstrate that their failure to respond or appear in court was not intentional but rather due to a genuine mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. Examples of excusable neglect include a party being unaware of the lawsuit, suffering from a serious illness or personal emergency, or experiencing a miscommunication with their attorney. The second type of motion to vacate or set aside a default judgment is based on newly discovered evidence. In this case, the party seeking to have the default judgment overturned must present newly discovered evidence that was not available at the time the judgment was entered and that could have had a significant impact on the outcome of the case. This type of motion is typically filed when new evidence surfaces after the default judgment has been entered, which could potentially change the entire course of the litigation. To file a motion to vacate or set aside a default judgment in Virginia, the party must draft a written motion specifying the reasons for seeking relief and provide supporting evidence or affidavits to substantiate their claims. It is crucial to adhere to the specific rules and deadlines set by the Virginia court system in order to effectively present the motion. In summary, a Virginia Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect is a legal process used to challenge a default judgment based on various grounds as specified by Virginia law. It is crucial to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in Virginia civil procedure to navigate this process effectively and increase the chances of having the default judgment overturned or set aside.