How to Set Aside a Default Judgment

A default judgment is a court decision in favor of the plaintiff (or petitioner) that happens because the defendant (or respondent) does not answer or go to a court hearing that they were told about.

(If you want to set aside a default judgment for eviction, see Setting Aside a Default Eviction Judgment.)

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What is a default judgment?

A “default judgment” is a court order made without the respondent because:

1. the respondent was served and did not file an answer by the deadline, or
2. the respondent filed an answer and was given notice of a hearing but did not show up for the hearing.

Can I ask the judge to set aside (cancel) a default judgment?

If you are the respondent, you can ask the judge to set aside (cancel) a default judgment made without you if:

1. you file a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment by the deadline, and
2. you can show that you did not file an answer or did not show up to the hearing due to either:

• lack of notice, which means that either:
  • you did not file an answer because you were not properly served with citation,
  • you filed an answer but did not come to a hearing because you did not get proper notice of the hearing, or
  • accident or mistake, which means that either:
    • you did not file an answer because of an accident or mistake rather than intentional or conscious indifference, or
    • you filed an answer but did not come to a hearing because of an accident or mistake rather than intentional or conscious indifference.

    Note: If you are asking the judge to set aside the default judgment due to accident or mistake, you must also show that you have a good defense to the case (a good reason the judge should rule in your favor) and that canceling the default judgment will not cause delay or harm to the other side.

    What is the deadline to file a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment?

    You must file a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Notice of Hearing within 30 days of the date the default judgment was signed by the judge. See Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 329(b).

    In Justice Court, the deadline is 14 days. See Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 505.3.

    • Exception 1: If you first learned about the default judgment more than 20 days after it was signed by the judge, your 30-day deadline to file the Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment begins on the date you received notice of the default judgment from the clerk or the date you actually found out about the default judgment (whichever happened first). But, even if this exception applies, your 30-day deadline to file the Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment cannot begin more than 90 days after the date that the default judgment was signed by the judge. So the latest you could file a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment is 120 days after the date the default judgment was signed by the judge. See Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 306(a)(4).
    • Exception 2: If you were served by publication, you have two years from the date of the default judgment to ask for a new trial. See Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 329.
    • Exception 3: If you were on active military duty when the default judgment was signed by the judge you have additional time. Talk to a lawyer about how to proceed. You can use Ask a Question to chat with a lawyer online.

    WARNING! If you do not file your Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment within 30 days of the date of the default judgment (or 14 days for Justice Court cases), it is very important that you talk with a lawyer.

    Should I talk to a lawyer before filing a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment?

    Yes. A lawyer can review your forms and tell you whether or not you have a good legal reason to ask the judge to set aside the default judgment. A lawyer can also help you get ready for your hearing.

    If you need help finding a lawyer, you can:

    • Use our Legal Help Directory to search for a lawyer referral service, legal aid office or self-help center in your area.
    • Check our Legal Events and Clinics page to learn if there is an upcoming legal clinic near you.
    • Use Ask a Question to chat online with a lawyer or law student.

    How do I ask the court to set aside a default judgment?

    ☐ Step 1: Schedule a hearing.

    Call the clerk’s office. Tell the clerk you want to schedule a hearing on a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment. The clerk will give you a date and time for the hearing. Make sure the hearing date is far enough away. The other side must receive a copy of your Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Notice of Hearing at least three days before the hearing date.

    ☐ Step 2: Fill out these forms.

    • Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Notice of Hearing

    Fill out this form completely in blue or black ink and sign it.

    • write the specific facts that show how your failure to file an answer or appear at the hearing was due to improper service or improper notice of the hearing, or
    • write the specific facts that show how your failure to file an answer or failure to appear at the hearing was an accident or mistake and you have a good defense, and
    • fill out the Unsworn Declaration completely and sign it, and
    • write the date and time of the hearing, and
    • write the full physical address of the court where the hearing will be held, and
    • fill out and sign the Certificate of Service.

    WARNING: You must sign the motion form under penalty of perjury. This means it’s a crime to lie on the form.

    • Order on Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment

    Fill out this form completely in blue or black ink (except for the judge’s signature).

    ☐ Step 3: Turn in your motion form.

    Turn in your completed Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Notice of Hearing form at the clerk’s office and get a file-stamped copy for both you and the other side.

    ☐ Step 4: Send a file-stamped copy of your motion to the other side.

    Send a file-stamped copy of the Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Notice of Hearing to the other side. Send it on the same day you file it. If the other side has a lawyer, send it to the lawyer instead of directly to the other side. You can send it by:

    • fax
    • email
    • commercial delivery service (such as FedEx or UPS)
    • personal delivery
    • certified mail, return receipt requested, and regular mail. (This way may take too long.)

    Keep proof that you sent the Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Notice of Hearing to the other side. You must bring proof to your hearing.

    ☐ Step 5: Go to the hearing.

    Be ready to explain to the judge why the default judgment should be set aside. Bring proof that you sent the Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment and Notice of Hearing to the other side. Bring the Order on Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment for the judge to sign. Remember, the judge may or may not set aside the default judgment.