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 Utah Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect is a legal procedure used to request the court to overturn or remove a default judgment entered against a party due to various reasons, including mistakes, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. Here is a detailed description of this motion and its different types: 1. Overview: When a party fails to respond to a lawsuit within the specified time frame, the court may enter a default judgment in favor of the opposing party. However, if the default judgment was entered due to a mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, the affected party can file a Motion to Vacate or Set Aside the Entry of Default and Default Judgment. 2. Purpose: The purpose of this motion is to give the defaulting party an opportunity to present their case and prevent an unfair judgment from being enforced. It recognizes that mistakes, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect can occur, leading to a failure to respond within the required timeframe. 3. Grounds for Filing: The key grounds for filing a Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment in Utah include: a. Mistake: A genuine mistake in understanding or interpreting the legal process or requirements. b. Inadvertence: Unintentional oversight or failure to respond, often due to the complexity of the case or personal circumstances. c. Surprise: Being unexpectedly caught unaware or unprepared, preventing adequate response to the lawsuit. d. Excusable Neglect: Failure to respond within the required timeframe due to justifiable reasons, such as illness, accident, or other unavoidable circumstances. 4. Supporting Evidence and Procedure: To successfully file this motion, the defaulting party must provide supporting evidence demonstrating the mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect that led to the default judgment. This can include affidavits, documentation, or other relevant evidence that supports their claim. 5. Different Types: There are no specific sub-types of the Utah Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect. However, the motion can be tailored to the specific circumstances of the case, such as emphasizing the mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect that occurred. In conclusion, the Utah Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect is a legal remedy available to a defaulting party to challenge or overturn a default judgment. By presenting compelling evidence of the mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect, the party aims to rectify any unfairness caused by the default judgment and obtain a fair opportunity to present their case.
