IF DEFENDANT FAILS TO ANSWER OR APPEAR AT TRIAL

(a) Default Judgment. If the defendant fails to appear at trial and fails to file an answer before the case is called for trial, and proof of service has been filed in accordance with Rule 510.8, the allegations of the petition must be taken as admitted and judgment by default rendered accordingly. If a defendant who has answered fails to appear for trial, the court may proceed to hear evidence and render judgment accordingly. A default judgment must comply with Rule 510.18.

(b) Plaintiff Duties. The plaintiff requesting a default judgment must provide to the clerk in writing the last known email address and mailing address of the defendant at or before the time the judgment is signed. If an email address is known, the plaintiff must serve the judgment by email under Rule 510.5(c)(1)(C). If an email address is not known, the plaintiff must serve the judgment by another method under 510.5. The plaintiff must file with the court a certificate of service under Rule 510.5(c)(4).

(c) Notice of Default. When a default judgment is signed, the clerk must immediately send the judgment by email and mail to the defendant at the last known addresses provided by the plaintiff and, if different from the mailing address, to the address of the premises. The clerk must note the fact of such emailing and mailing on the docket. The notice must state the number and style of the case, the court in which the case is pending, the names of the parties in whose favor and against whom the judgment was rendered, and the date the judgment was signed. Failure to comply with the provisions of this rule does not affect the finality of the judgment.