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;
2. the presence of material issues of fact;
3. the presence of a meritorious defense to the claim;
4. the significance of the interests at stake, including, but not limited to, the amount of money involved;
5. whether the failure to answer was intentional or willful or the result of conscious indifference;
6. whether party or counsel bears responsibility for default; and the availability of less drastic sanctions.
Idaho Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment can be a crucial legal tool for individuals or businesses facing default judgments in civil cases in the state of Idaho. When a party fails to respond or appear in court, the opposing party can request a default judgment, which essentially awards them the case by default. However, if the defaulting party believes there are valid reasons for their failure to respond or appear, they can file a Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment to challenge or overturn the default decision. There are two main types of Idaho Motions to Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment that one may encounter: 1. Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default: This is the initial step taken by the defaulting party to request the court to set aside the entry of default. The grounds for filing this motion include: — Excusable neglect: The default was due to circumstances beyond the control of the defaulting party, such as illness, emergencies, or mistaken mail delivery. — Mistaken identity: The default judgment was entered against the wrong party, and there is evidence to confirm the error. — Lack of proper service: The defaulting party was not properly served with the legal documents, and as a result, they were unaware of the lawsuit and unable to respond. To file a Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default, the defaulting party must present a written motion to the court, explaining the grounds for their request. Supporting evidence or affidavits may also be required to strengthen their arguments. 2. Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment: If the defaulting party's Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default is successful, they may subsequently need to file a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment. This motion aims to overturn the default judgment that was previously entered against them. Grounds for filing a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment may include: — Newly discovered evidence: The defaulting party has obtained new evidence that could significantly impact the outcome of the case and was unavailable during the initial proceedings. — Legal errors: There were significant errors made by the court during the default judgment process, such as misapplication of the law or procedural mistakes that affected the defaulting party's rights. Similar to the Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default, the defaulting party needs to file a written motion along with any supporting documentation, affidavits, or other evidence to support their arguments. In both types of motions, it is crucial to demonstrate valid reasons why the default or default judgment should be set aside, as the court retains discretion in granting or denying these requests. It is advisable to consult with an experienced attorney familiar with Idaho civil procedures to navigate the complexities of filing and presenting a Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment effectively.
