A Motion to Vacate a Default Judgment is a formal request asking a judge to erase a judgment and rewind the lawsuit because you failed to answer the initial complaint. To succeed, you must generally file within one year of the judgment and prove “excusable neglect” (a valid reason you didn’t respond, like a severe medical emergency) and a “meritorious defense” (a legitimate legal reason why you do not owe the debt, such as the expiration of the statute of limitations). If you can prove you were never properly served with the initial lawsuit, the judgment is classified as “void” and carries no time limit for vacating.