What Happens If You Ignore a Lawsuit in Utah? Default Judgment Explained
Ignoring a lawsuit in Utah doesn't make it go away — it makes it worse. Here's what happens when you don't respond to a summons and complaint, and what a default judgment means for your finances.
You've been served with a lawsuit in Utah. The papers are sitting on your kitchen counter. You're hoping that if you ignore them long enough, the problem will go away. It won't. In fact, ignoring a Utah lawsuit is one of the most expensive decisions you can make — and the consequences are immediate, enforceable, and often irreversible.
The Timeline After You're Served
Once you're personally served with a summons and complaint in Utah, you have exactly 21 days to file an answer with the court (30 days if served outside Utah). This clock starts on the day of service — not the day you read the papers, not the day you "feel ready," not the day you hire an attorney.
What Is a Default Judgment?
If you don't file an answer within the 21-day window, the plaintiff can ask the court for a default judgment. This means:
- The court accepts the plaintiff's version of events as true — because you didn't dispute any of it
- The judge awards the plaintiff whatever they asked for in the complaint — the full amount of damages, attorney fees, costs, and sometimes punitive damages
- You lose your right to present a defense, call witnesses, or negotiate a settlement
- The judgment becomes enforceable immediately
What the Plaintiff Can Do With a Default Judgment
A Utah default judgment is a court order backed by the full authority of the state. The plaintiff (now a "judgment creditor") can:
- Garnish your wages — up to 25% of your disposable earnings, taken directly from your paycheck by your employer
- Freeze and seize your bank accounts — via a writ of garnishment to your bank
- Place a lien on your property — your home, car, or other real property can have a lien attached that must be paid before you can sell or refinance
- Seize personal property — via a writ of execution, a constable can take non-exempt assets
- Damage your credit — the judgment appears on your credit report for up to 7 years
- Renew the judgment — in Utah, judgments are enforceable for 8 years and can be renewed, potentially following you for decades
Can You Undo a Default Judgment?
Sometimes, but it's difficult and expensive. Under URCP Rule 60(b), you can file a motion to set aside a default judgment if you can show:
- Excusable neglect — you had a legitimate reason for not responding (hospitalization, military deployment, etc.). "I was busy" or "I didn't think it was real" generally doesn't qualify.
- A meritorious defense — you have a real defense to the underlying claim that would change the outcome if the case were heard on its merits.
- Timeliness — you must file the motion within a "reasonable time" and no more than 90 days after the judgment was entered.
Even when a court grants a motion to set aside, you've now spent thousands in legal fees just to get back to where you would have been if you'd responded on day one.
What You Should Do Instead
If you've been served with a lawsuit in Utah:
- Don't ignore it. The 21-day clock is running whether you acknowledge it or not.
- Read the complaint carefully. Understand what you're being sued for and how much.
- Consult an attorney. Many Utah attorneys offer free or low-cost initial consultations for civil matters. The Utah State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service is (801) 531-9077.
- File an answer. Even a basic answer that denies the allegations preserves your right to defend yourself.
- Consider your options. Negotiation and settlement are almost always cheaper than going to default.
Were you recently served with papers and aren't sure what they mean? While we serve papers rather than provide legal advice, we can explain what was documented in the service and how the process works. Call {{office_phone}}.
Category: Legal Resources · Published: 2026-06-01 · 6 min read · By Christopher Zamora, Rocky Mountain Protective Group