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What is the difference between a motion to set aside default judgment and a motion to vacate default judgment?

And are either motions effected by local court rules? Thank you in advanced

Lawsuits and disputes Filing a lawsuit Motions Evidence Default judgment
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Asked in Los Angeles, CA | Aug 24, 2012 | 3 answers
Answer
A. Melissa Johnson
A. Melissa Johnson
Employment / Labor Attorney in San Diego, CA
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Rating: 8.4
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View Phone Number (619) 233-1313
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Posted on Aug 27, 2012 Voted as Most Helpful

You should be sure of what you intend to accomplish. Has your default been entered, or has a default judgment been given in favor of the other Plaintiff. Those are different. Entering default is the first step in obtaining a default judgment. The motion that you will bring depends what relief the court has granted to the plaintiff.

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Quin Elen Marshall
Quin Elen Marshall
Litigation Lawyer in Oakland, CA
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Posted on Aug 24, 2012

There is no substantive difference between "setting aside" and "vacating" any judgment, including one obtained by default. However, there is a difference between a default, and a default judgment, and both would need to be set aside, or vacated, in order to undo the final default. Generally, a "default" is entered by the court clerk, at the request of the complainant, when a defendant does not respond to the complaint. Then, once the clerk enters the default, the complainant has to seek a judgment by default, and depending on the court and the circumstances, can be done by the clerk or by a judge. The default judgment, after a showing of evidence, is entered in the record, and details any monetary award, etc. If the defendant then wants to appear and defend after default and a default judgment are both entered, he/she will have to get both set aside/vacated, in order to enter an appearance and defend on the merits.

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Frank Wei-Hong Chen
Frank Wei-Hong Chen
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Posted on Aug 24, 2012 Selected as best answer

You actually need to do both. A default prevents the defendant from answering, but just setting aside the default would just mean that the plaintiff could request entry of default judgment again. Therefore, a defendant must both set aside the default and vacate the default judgment.

https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/deadline-for-setting-aside-default-and-vacating-default-judgment-in-california?ref=kb_serp_title_3

Frank W. Chen has been licensed to practice law in California since 1988. The information presented here is general in nature and is not intended, nor should be construed, as legal advice for a particular case. This Avvo.com posting does not create any attorney-client relationship with the author. For specific advice about your particular situation, please consult with your own attorney.

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