Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Florida

Re: failure to appear at civil trial

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If you do not appear, a judgment will be entered against you for the full amount that is being sought. Execution of the judgment will be forthwith (immediately). The Plaintiff/lender can then take whatever steps necessary to try and collect on the judgment.

Alternatively, if you do appear, then you can try and work out a repayment plan with payments being spread out over a period of time. The court will work with you to try and help mediate the matter upon terms which you believe you can uphold. This is a valuable tool to aid in resolution of the case which you will lose by not appearing.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.

Re: failure to appear at civil trial

If you don't appear you will lose by default and the amount of the judgment will likely be higher than if you at least appear because they will claim anything they can and it will be unrebutted.