DEFAULT JUDGMENT

Should a New York court submit a default judgment against a Defendant, that party has one year to vacate the default, upon a successful showing of reasonable excuse, lack of prejudice to the Plaintiff and an affidavit of merit to Defendant’s defense.  Unless the Defendant can show he was never properly served (in which case there is no time restraint), a court will deny the motion if an attempt to vacate was made after the one year had passed.  CPLR 5015(a)(1).  See Cuadra v. City of New York