Rule 58A. Entry of judgment; abstract of judgment.

(a) Judgment upon the verdict of a jury. Unless the court otherwise directs and subject to Rule 54(b), the clerk shall promptly sign and file the judgment upon the verdict of a jury. If there is a special verdict or a general verdict accompanied by answers to interrogatories returned by a jury, the court shall direct the appropriate judgment, which the clerk shall promptly sign and file.

(b) Judgment in other cases. Except as provided in paragraphs (a) and (f) and Rule 55(b)(1), all judgments shall be signed by the judge and filed with the clerk.

(c) When judgment entered; recording. A judgment is complete and shall be deemed entered for all purposes, except the creation of a lien on real property, when it is signed and filed as provided in paragraphs (a) or (b). The clerk shall immediately record the judgment in the register of actions and the register of judgments.

(d) Notice of judgment. A copy of the signed judgment shall be promptly served by the party preparing it in the manner provided in Rule 5. The time for filing a notice of appeal is not affected by this requirement.

(e) Judgment after death of a party. If a party dies after a verdict or decision upon any issue of fact and before judgment, judgment may nevertheless be entered.

(f) Judgment by confession. If a judgment by confession is authorized by statute, the party seeking the judgment must file with the clerk a statement, verified by the defendant, to the following effect:

(f)(1) If the judgment is for money due or to become due, it shall concisely state the claim and that the specified sum is due or to become due.

(f)(2) If the judgment is for the purpose of securing the plaintiff against a contingent liability, it must state concisely the claim and that the specified sum does not exceed the liability.

(f)(3) It must authorize the entry of judgment for the specified sum.

The clerk shall sign and file the judgment for the specified sum, with costs of entry, if any, and record it in the register of actions and the register of judgments.

(g) Abstract of judgment. The clerk may abstract a judgment by a signed writing under seal of the court that:

(g)(1) identifies the court, the case name, the case number, the judge or clerk that signed the judgment, the date the judgment was signed, and the date the judgment was recorded in the registry of actions and the registry of judgments;

(g)(2) states whether the time for appeal has passed and whether an appeal has been filed;

(g)(3) states whether the judgment has been stayed and when the stay will expire; and

(g)(4) if the language of the judgment is known to the clerk, quotes verbatim the operative language of the judgment or attaches a copy of the judgment.