After you win a judgment, you must then have the judgment docketed. This process is sometimes called “transcribing the judgment.” You can docket a judgment by filing an Affidavit of Identification of Judgment Debtor form with court administration in the county where you were awarded the judgment.
If you do not think the default judgment was appropriately entered against you, you must file a motion with the court asking the judge to “set aside” (void or nullify) the judgment. If the judge grants your motion, the case starts back up again.
Is a Default Judgment a Final Judgment? A default judgment is a final judgment because it is a decision on the merits (as it was properly heard). Therefore, if a party disagrees, they must file an appeal or a motion to reconsider. The defaulting party may obtain a reverse judgment if they appeal the decision.
Yes, a default judgment may negatively affect your credit score, and will be a lien on all of your real estate. Buying and selling real estate will be negatively affected by the entry of a default judgment.
How long does a judgment last? Judgments last for ten years and then can be renewed for another ten years. There is no limit to how many times a judgment can be renewed as long as the creditor takes the appropriate steps every ten years. So a judgment against you will potentially last forever.
All judgments and court records are filed in the County Clerk Office in the County where the lawsuit was filed. You can go in person to the County Clerk Office in the County where you live to ask if a judgment has been entered against you. Most counties also allow you to search online.