If a creditor were to sue you for a debt owed, eventually they may try to obtain a judgment against you. There are two main ways we see clients usually end up getting judgments against them. The first way is by a default judgment. This basically means you never answered the complaint and, therefore, the judge will automatically issue a ruling against you.

Another common way someone may obtain a judgment against you is if the judge issues a summary judgment. As Rule 56 of the North Carolina General Statutes explains, in order for a summary judgment to be issued there must be “no genuine issue of material fact”. This means there are no disputed claims or facts in the case. The theory of summary judgment is that it will help to avoid unnecessary litigation in the courtroom.

If the judge believes there are material facts that are contested then they would deny the summary judgment. If the judge agrees with the moving party and grants the motion for summary judgment, the judgment is then placed against you with no need for a trial. Whether or not the judgment entered is a default judgment or a summary judgment, you as the debtor are required by law to pay that debt.