Motion to Set Aside Default or Judgment

Motion to Set Aside Default or Judgment

A Motion to Set Aside Default or Judgment is used to ask the court to set aside or "undo" a default or judgment or final order in a case, and to allow the case to move ahead as if the default or judgment had not been made.

 

Reasons to set aside the default judgment

Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b) and Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) specify the reasons a default or judgment may be set aside:

  • mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect;
  • newly discovered evidence which could not have been discovered in time to move for a new trial under Rule 59(b);
  • fraud, misrepresentation or other misconduct of the other party;
  • the judgment is void;
  • the judgment has been satisfied, released, or discharged, or a prior judgment upon which it is based has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the judgment should have prospective application; or
  • any other reason justifying relief from the operation of the judgment.

Examples of common reasons include:

  • Paperwork filed contained mistakes or was filed incorrectly
  • The court did not have jurisdiction over the matter
  • The judgment has already been paid
  • The party is a victim of identity theft
  • The party was not served properly
  • The statute of limitations for the action has passed

 

Deadlines

A party must make the motion within a "reasonable time" after the default or judgment. The judge decides what a reasonable time is, and it will depend on the circumstances in the case. A party should clearly explain why the time in which they filed the motion is reasonable.

In addition to the reasonable time requirement, a party asking to set aside the default or judgment for one of the reasons listed below must do so within three months of the default or judgment:

  • mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect
  • newly discovered evidence
  • fraud, misrepresentation or other misconduct of the other party

It is important to act promptly. If the judge finds that the motion was not made within a reasonable time, s/he can deny it, even if the reason for the request is a valid one.

 

Meritorious defense

Even when a party has a valid reason to ask to set aside the default or judgment under the court rule, and even if they make the motion by the deadline, in many cases the party must also show that they have a "meritorious" or good defense in the case. The party must tell the court what things they disagree with in the complaint or petition.

If, for example, a default judgment is set aside, the party must show to the court why the proposed answer contains a defense that is entitled to be tried. See Erickson v. Schenkers Int'l Forwarders, Inc., 882 P.2d 1147 (Utah 1994).

 

 

The forms you need depend on your case. What is your case about?

Will your motion be decided by a judge or commissioner?

Who will decide your motion matters. You will follow different processes and timelines depending who decides your motion. 

If you already know, scroll down to read about How to File a Motion Decided by a Judge or How to File a Motion Decided by a Commissioner. If you aren't sure, look at the caption of the complaint or petition. You can also answer the questions below. 

Yes
If you have a divorce, custody, paternity, temporary separation, or protective order case, or a case about modifying an order in one of these cases, it might be heard by a commissioner. Answer the next question. 

No
Your motion will be heard by a judge. Scroll down to How to File a Motion Decided by a Judge.

Yes
If your family law case (divorce, custody, paternity, temporary separation, or a protective order) was filed in Judicial Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4, then it will be decided by a Commissioner. Scroll down to How to File a Motion Decided by a Commissioner.

No
If your case was filed in another judicial district, it will be heard by a judge. Scroll down to How to File a Motion Decided by a Judge.

I don't know
If you aren’t sure where your case is filed or whether it will be heard by a judge or commissioner, find out by contacting your court.

Filing your motion

Step 1: Fill out your paperwork and file
Start with the motion. Choose the right one for your situation from the forms section below. Here are some tips to help you with your motion:

  • Type or clearly print the motion. Use short sentences. Make your motion easy to read to help the judge understand it. 
  • Title the motion to say what you want the court to order. For example, if you need to ask the court to change discovery deadlines in your case, you can call your motion "Motion to Change Discovery Deadlines."
  • Say what you want and why you want it. Include relevant details that support what you are asking for. Be clear about what you want the judge to order.
  • Cite any statutes, ordinances, rules, or appellate opinions that support your arguments.
  • You can request a hearing as part of the motion. The judge might grant the request for hearing or might decide the motion based on the papers without a hearing.
  • Most motions can be up to 10 double-spaced pages. If you aren't sure abut the page limits, read Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 101(i)
  • Because you are the party filing the motion, you are the "moving party." The other party is sometimes called the "opposing party." 

Aftere you fill out the motion, be sure to also fill out a Notice of Hearing. You can try contacting the court to get help scheduling your hearing and filling out the Notice of Hearing.

File both the motion and the Notice of Hearing with the court

If you do not file a Notice of Hearing, the court might not schedule your hearing. If there is no hearing scheduled, the commissioner will never read your motion. 

Are you filing exhibits with your motion? If yes, read more about exhibits below.

Step 2: Serve the other parties in your case
If you know the other parties in your case agree with your motion, ask them to sign your motion and write down that they agree with what you are asking for in your motion. 

If the other parties do not agree, you will need to have them served with the papers

Step 3: Wait, respond to any other paperwork, and attend the hearing
If the other party files a Memorandum Opposing the Motion, you may file a Reply Memorandum Supporting the Motion, but only to respond to something being raised for the first time in the opposing memorandum. Choose the right one for your situation from the forms section below.

The court will schedule a hearing. Be sure to attend. See our page on Going to Court for more information. 

If you need help with the order, read about orders below.

The chart below has more information about when papers should be filed. If the responding party files a counter motion, you can see more timelines below. 

DocumentsWho FilesTime to File and Serve
MotionMoving partyServe at least 28 days before the hearing
Memorandum Opposing the MotionResponding partyAt least 14 days before the hearing
Reply Memorandum Supporting the MotionMoving partyAt least 7 days before the hearing

 

Counter Motion DocumentsWho FilesTime to File and Serve
Counter Motion (must be served with Memorandum Opposing the MotionResponding partyAt least 14 days before the hearing
Memorandum Opposing the Counter MotionOriginal moving partyAt least 7 days before the hearing
Reply Memorandum Supporting the Counter MotionResponding partyAt least 3 business days before the hearing

Step 1: Fill out your paperwork and file
Start with the motion. Choose the right one for your situation from the forms section below. Here are some tips to help you with your motion:

  • Type or clearly print the motion. Use short sentences. Make your motion easy to read to help the judge understand it. 
  • Title the motion to say what you want the court to order. For example, if you need to ask the court to change discovery deadlines in your case, you can call your motion "Motion to Change Discovery Deadlines."
  • Say what you want and why you want it. Include relevant details that support what you are asking for. Be clear about what you want the judge to order.
  • Cite any statutes, ordinances, rules, or appellate opinions that support your arguments.
  • You can request a hearing as part of the motion. The judge might grant the request for hearing or might decide the motion based on the papers without a hearing.
  • Most motions can be up to 15 double-spaced pages. If you aren't sure about the page limits, read Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 7(q)
  • Because you are the party filing the motion, you are the "moving party." The other party is sometimes called the "opposing party." 

File your motion with the court

Are you filing exhibits with your motion? If yes, read more about exhibits below.

Step 2: Serve the other parties in your case
If you know the other parties in your case agree with your motion, ask them to sign your motion and write down that they agree with what you are asking for in your motion. 

If the other parties do not agree, you will need to have them served with the papers

Step 3: Wait, respond to any other paperwork, and then file a Request to Submit for Decision and proposed order
If the other party files a Memorandum Opposing the Motion, you may file a Reply Memorandum Supporting the Motion, but only to respond to something being raised for the first time in the opposing memorandum. Choose the right one for your situation from the forms section below.

Whatever happens, make sure that you file a Request to Submit for Decision and a proposed order. The court might not decide on your motion until you file these papers. The earliest that you can file this is 14 days after you file and serve the motion. Choose the right forms for your situation from the forms section below. 

The court might schedule a hearing. If they do, be sure to attend. See our page on Going to Court for more information. 

The chart below has more information when papers should be filed. 

DocumentsWho FilesTime to File and Serve
MotionMoving party 
Memorandum Opposing the MotionResponding partyWithin 14 days after the the moving party files and serves the motion
Reply Memorandum Supporting MotionMoving partyWithin 7 days after the responding party files and serves the Memorandum Opposing the Motion
Request to Submit for DecisionMoving partyAfter the last document in this list is filed, or sooner if the responding party does not file a Memorandum Opposing the Motion. No earlier than 14 days after filing and serving the motion

 

 

Military service members

If the case involves someone on active military duty, special protections apply under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. See our Lawsuits Involving Military Service Members web page for more information

 

Delaying enforcement of the judgment

A party can ask the court to delay or "stay" enforcement of the judgment while the Motion to Set Aside Default or Judgment is being considered by filing a Motion to Delay (Stay) Enforcement of the Judgment. You can file this motion at the same time as the Motion to Set Aside Default or Judgment.

If granted by the court, the stay remains in effect until the judge makes a decision on the Motion to Set Aside Judgment. During that time, the other party cannot try to enforce the judgment until that matter has been decided.

See the Motion to Delay (Stay) Enforcement of the Judgment web page for more information and forms.

 

After the motion is decided

If the motion to set aside default or judgment is granted, the parties then proceed through the steps in the case as if the default or judgment had not been granted. For example:

  • If the judgment was a default, the defendant/respondent may be given an opportunity to answer the complaint or petition.
  • If the court finds the judgment was already satisfied, the case may be dismissed because it has already been completed.
  • If the court finds service was improper, the court may order the plaintiff/petitioner to serve the defendant/respondent properly.
  • If the motion to set aside default or judgment is not granted, the party who won the original judgment can now enforce the judgment.

If the motion to set aside default or judgment is not granted, the party who won the original judgment can now enforce the judgment.

See our How to collect a judgment web page for more information about the ways a creditor can enforce a judgment for money.

Either party can decide to appeal the decision about the Motion to Set Aside Default or Judgment if they believe the judge made a legal mistake. See the Appeals web page for information about the appeals process.

 

Forms

Information about filing documents in existing cases by email

What forms you need depend on whether your case is before a commissioner or a judge.

Motion Decided by a Commissioner

Moving Party
Required forms for the moving party
  • Motion to Set Aside Default or Judgment - Commissioner - PDF | Word
  • 1111FA
  • 1071FA
Optional forms for the moving party
  • 1108FA
  • 1109FA
  • 1105FA
  • 1107FA
  • 1106FA
Opposing Party
Required forms for the opposing party
  • 1104FA
Optional forms for the opposing party
  • 1105FA
  • Counter Motion - PDF | Word
  • (if the opposing party has new arguments to make not presented in the moving party's motion)
  • 1111FA
  • 1071FA

Moving Party
Required forms for the moving party
  • 1070FA
  • 1110FA
  • 1071FA
Optional forms for the moving party
  • 1105FA
  • 1107FA
  • 1106FA
  • 1111FA
Opposing Party

Required forms for the opposing party

  • 1104FA
Optional forms for the opposing party
  • 1105FA
  • 1003FA
  • 1111FA
  • 1110FA
  • 1071FA

If you aren’t sure whether your case is assigned to a judge or commissioner, find out. Call the court or look at the caption of the complaint or petition. If a commissioner's name is listed in the caption, the motion likely will be decided by a commissioner.

Moving Party
Required forms for the moving party
  • 1070GE
  • 1110GE
    (filed after all documents have been filed, or the time has passed for the other party to respond)
  • 1071GE
Optional forms for the moving party
  • 1105GE
    (if the other party agrees to the motion after it has been filed)
  • 1107GE
    (if someone other than the moving party has a statement to make)
  • 1106GE
    (if the other party has disagreed with the motion and presented a new matter in their response, and the moving party wishes to respond)
  • 1111GE
    (if a hearing is requested)
Opposing Party

Required forms for the opposing party

  • 1104GE
Optional forms for the opposing party
  • 1105GE
    (if the opposing party agrees to the motion after it has been filed)
  • 1103GE
    (if the opposing party has new arguments to make not presented in the moving party's motion)
  • 1111GE
    (if a hearing is requested)
  • 1110GE
    (if the other party has not filed this document)
  • Order on Motion to Set Aside Judgment - PDF | Word
  • (if the opposing party is directed to complete the order)