What is considered a meritorious excuse for arriving to the courtroom at 9:03 when the default judgement was granted at 9:02?

As far as the court is concerned, if the opportunity to defend your rights was not important enough for you to make sure you arrived at the court...

The First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech ...", which generally means no governmental entity can...

Can I sue Facebook for loosing money?

Is Facebook following its own rules and guidelines? If so, you probably need to find another way to promote - perhaps your own domain that doesn't...

Renewal

The short answer is, "Yes". A judgment can be renewed in perpetuity.

How do I collect from a trust?

You can file a motion for an assignment order pursuant to CCP 695.030 if the trust is in probate. Otherwise you can try for an assignment order...

Promissory note?

Silence does not indicate agreement, acceptance, or even acquiescence, unless the parties specifically agree that it does, preferably in writing.

How long and at what rate can a plaintiff collect interest on a judgment?

California Code of Civil Procedure §685.010(a): Interest accrues at the rate of 10 percent per annum on the principal amount of a money judgment...

Has any money been paid towards satisfaction of the judgment? Has the judgment been assigned to another person/entity for enforcement? The most...

Interest accrues from the date of the judgment until the date it's satisfied.

Do most unpaid rent collectors require the landlord to assign the debt to them in exchange for a share of what is collected?

Yes. You have to "give" him the debt ("assign" is the proper term), because he needs legal authority to take certain actions against the debtor,...