Which outcome occurs when a party fails to respond by the deadline, resulting in a default judgment?

• A. Pleading in the alternative
• B. Verification
• C. Summons
• D. Default judgment

Answer: (D)

When a party does not respond by the deadline, the court can enter a default judgment because there is no defense or appearance to counter the complaint. A default judgment means the plaintiff’s claims are treated as admitted, and the court awards the relief requested in the complaint. In many cases, if the claim is for a sum certain, the judgment can be entered by the court or even the clerk once proper service and the failure to respond are established; if damages aren’t set, a damages hearing may be needed to determine the amount. The party who didn’t respond can sometimes seek to set aside the default for a valid excuse or meritorious defense.

Pleading in the alternative is a way to present multiple possible theories or claims within a single pleading, verification is a sworn statement of truth attached to a pleading, and summons is the notice that starts the lawsuit and tells the defendant when to respond. They describe other parts of the process, not the outcome that follows a failed response.