3 practical examples of judgment forms (with real-world context)

Starting with real examples of 3 practical judgment forms

Instead of beginning with theory, let’s jump straight into the kinds of judgment forms people actually see in court. When courts talk about judgment forms, they’re usually talking about the official document the judge signs to record the final decision in a case. That document becomes the backbone for things like collections, wage garnishment, property liens, or enforcement of custody orders.

When people search for examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms, they’re usually trying to understand:

• What does a judgment form look like in a simple money case?
• How is a judgment written when one side doesn’t show up?
• What about when both parties agree and the judge just signs off?

Let’s walk through three core types, with multiple real-world style scenarios under each one.

Example of a money judgment form in small claims court

One of the best examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms is the classic money judgment in small claims court. This is the kind of form used when one person sues another for a specific dollar amount—unpaid rent, car repair bills, or a loan that never got paid back.

Imagine this situation:

You loaned a friend $2,000. They never paid you back. You file a small claims case. You both show up in court, the judge listens, and decides in your favor.

On the judgment form, you’ll typically see sections like:

• Case caption: Names of plaintiff and defendant, case number, court name.
• Hearing information: Date of hearing, name of judicial officer.
• Findings: A checkbox or short sentence like, “Defendant owes Plaintiff money.”
• Amount awarded: Principal owed, plus court costs, sometimes interest.
• Signature line: Judge’s signature and date.

A filled-out money judgment form in that scenario might look something like this in plain-language terms:

“Judgment is entered in favor of Plaintiff, Maria Lopez, and against Defendant, Daniel King, in the amount of \(2,000 principal, plus \)95 court costs, for a total judgment of $2,095.”

That single sentence is the heart of the judgment form. It’s what later allows Maria to try wage garnishment or other collection methods if Daniel still doesn’t pay.

More real examples of money judgment forms

To give you more than one angle, here are several everyday-style examples of how money judgments show up on forms:

Example 1: Unpaid rent
A landlord sues a former tenant for three months of unpaid rent.

“Judgment for Plaintiff, Oakwood Apartments, and against Defendant, Jamie Reed, in the amount of \(3,600 unpaid rent, \)300 late fees, \(120 court costs, total \)4,020.”

Example 2: Car accident repair costs
One driver sues another in small claims for out-of-pocket repair costs not covered by insurance.

“Judgment for Plaintiff, Derek Smith, and against Defendant, Allison Moore, in the amount of \(1,850 property damage, plus \)110 court costs, total $1,960. Interest to accrue at the statutory rate.”

Example 3: Contractor dispute
A homeowner sues a contractor for a partial refund after incomplete work.

“Judgment for Plaintiff, Hannah Perez, and against Defendant, BuildRight Contractors, LLC, in the amount of \(4,500, plus \)135 court costs, total $4,635.”

These are all examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms in the money-judgment category: simple, direct, and focused on who owes what.

If you want to see real-life templates, many state courts publish sample judgment forms online. For instance, the U.S. Courts site maintains federal forms, and many state court systems (like California and New York) post civil and small claims judgment forms on their official .gov sites.

Default judgment forms: when the other side never shows up

Another very common example of a judgment form is the default judgment. This is what happens when the defendant is properly served with the lawsuit but never files an answer and never shows up to court.

From a paperwork standpoint, the default judgment form often looks similar to a regular money judgment form, but with a few extra lines or checkboxes indicating that the judgment was entered “by default.” Courts usually require proof that the defendant was served correctly before signing off.

Example 4: Credit card debt default judgment

Picture this:

A credit card company sues a consumer for $5,200 in unpaid charges. The consumer never responds and doesn’t appear. The plaintiff files a request for default and submits a proposed judgment form.

A default judgment entry might read something like:

“Defendant having failed to appear or respond after proper service, default is entered. Judgment is entered in favor of Plaintiff, ABC Bank, and against Defendant, Corey Johnson, in the amount of \(5,200 principal, \)600 contractual interest, and \(180 court costs, total \)5,980.”

The examples include a specific note that the defendant didn’t participate. That language matters because it signals the judgment was not contested.

Example 5: Default judgment in a landlord–tenant case

Now imagine a landlord files for unpaid rent and possession of the unit. The tenant never shows up.

A default judgment form might say:

“Defendant having failed to appear, judgment by default is entered for Plaintiff, Greenview Properties. Plaintiff is awarded possession of the premises located at 124 Oak Street, Apt. 3B, and a money judgment of \(2,400 unpaid rent, \)200 late fees, and \(95 court costs, total \)2,695.”

Here, the form covers both possession (the right to retake the unit) and money (the unpaid rent). Many housing courts use a combined judgment form with separate sections for possession and money awards.

These default situations are some of the best examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms because they show how the same form structure can handle different types of relief: money, property, or both.

Consent judgment forms: when everyone agrees

The third big category in our examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms is the consent judgment (also called a stipulated judgment). This is where both sides agree on the outcome, write it up, and submit it for the judge to sign.

Consent judgments are especially common in:

• Family law (divorce, custody, support)
• Payment plans for debts
• Settlement of civil lawsuits before trial

The form usually includes language like “by consent of the parties” or “pursuant to stipulation.” The judge’s role is to review the agreement, make sure it’s legally acceptable, and then sign the judgment.

Example 6: Consent judgment in a payment plan

Let’s say someone owes $3,000 on a medical bill. Instead of fighting in court, they negotiate a payment plan and agree to a consent judgment.

The judgment form might state:

“By consent of the parties, judgment is entered for Plaintiff, City Medical Center, and against Defendant, Ryan Taylor, in the amount of \(3,000, plus \)120 court costs, total \(3,120. Plaintiff agrees not to execute on the judgment so long as Defendant pays \)260 per month beginning March 1, 2025.”

The examples include both the total judgment and the agreement about how it will be paid. If the defendant stops paying, the plaintiff can enforce the judgment.

Example 7: Consent judgment in a divorce case

Family courts often use judgment forms to finalize divorces and custody agreements. These are some of the most detailed real examples of judgment forms because they cover parenting time, child support, and sometimes property division.

A simplified version might say:

“This matter having come before the Court on the parties’ joint petition for dissolution of marriage, and the parties having entered into a written settlement agreement, it is ordered, adjudged, and decreed: The marriage of Petitioner, Lisa Grant, and Respondent, Michael Grant, is dissolved. The parties’ settlement agreement dated May 10, 2024, regarding custody, parenting time, child support, and division of property is incorporated into this Judgment and is hereby made an order of the Court.”

The actual form will usually have multiple sections and attachments, but the core idea is the same: the judge turns the parties’ agreement into a formal court judgment.

For more on how family law judgments work, many state courts publish guides. For example, the California Courts self-help site explains divorce judgments and forms in plain language, and similar resources exist in other states.

How courts structure these forms (and why it matters)

Whether you’re looking at money, default, or consent judgments, most judgment forms share a few building blocks. Understanding those makes it easier to read any of the examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms you’ll encounter.

Common elements include:

• Caption: Court name, case number, parties’ names.
• Appearances: Who showed up (plaintiff, defendant, attorneys, or nobody).
• Basis for judgment: Trial, default, settlement, motion, or stipulation.
• Orders: Who wins, who loses, and exactly what is ordered.
• Amounts and terms: Dollar figures, interest, payment schedules.
• Judge’s signature and date: The moment it becomes an enforceable judgment.

In 2024–2025, a growing number of courts are pushing electronic filing and standardized PDFs or online forms. Many state courts now have:

• Fillable PDF judgment forms you can type into.
• E-filing portals for submitting proposed judgments.
• Self-help centers and online instructions for self-represented parties.

The National Center for State Courts tracks these trends and offers resources on court modernization and access to justice.

Six more concrete situations where judgment forms show up

To round out our examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms, it helps to see how flexible these documents really are. Here are additional scenarios where judgment forms are used every day:

1. Wage garnishment after a money judgment
Once a creditor has a judgment, they may use that judgment form to ask the court for a wage garnishment order. The original judgment states the total owed; the garnishment paperwork then applies that judgment to the debtor’s paycheck.

2. Judgment for possession only (no money)
In some landlord–tenant cases, a landlord might only ask for possession of the property back, not money. The judgment form might simply say that the landlord is granted possession as of a certain date.

3. Judgment dismissing the case with prejudice
If the parties settle out of court, they might file a stipulation to dismiss. The court may enter a judgment that dismisses the case with prejudice, which means it can’t be refiled on the same claims.

4. Judgment on a motion for summary judgment
In higher-value civil cases, a party might win on a legal motion before trial. The judgment form then reflects that the court granted summary judgment and states the relief awarded.

5. Family support modification judgment
When child support or spousal support is modified, the court uses a new judgment or order form that replaces the old amounts. These forms spell out the new monthly support figure and the effective date.

6. Criminal restitution judgment
In criminal cases, courts sometimes issue restitution orders requiring the defendant to repay the victim for losses. Those orders often function like civil money judgments and may appear on judgment forms specific to criminal cases.

All of these are real-world extensions of the same core idea: the judgment form is the official record of what the court decided.

Practical tips if you’re reading or drafting a judgment form

If you’re dealing with your own case and looking at examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms to guide you, here are some practical, non-legal-advice pointers:

• Read every line that mentions money or deadlines. Those are the parts that tend to cause problems later.
• Check names and case number carefully. Typos can cause delays in enforcement.
• Make sure the relief matches what the judge said in court. If you were in the hearing, the form should reflect the judge’s actual ruling.
• Ask the court clerk about local forms. Many courts have their own mandatory judgment templates.
• Consider legal help for complex cases. For anything involving large sums, property, or long-term support, talking to a lawyer or legal aid group is often worth it.

Legal aid organizations and law school clinics often publish examples and guides. Sites like LawHelp.org can help you find local resources in the United States.

FAQ: Real questions about judgment forms

What are some common examples of judgment forms people see in court?

Common examples include small claims money judgments, default judgments when the defendant never appears, consent judgments based on settlements, divorce and custody judgments in family court, and restitution or support judgments that order ongoing payments.

Can I use an online example of a judgment form for my own case?

You can absolutely study online examples to understand the structure and language, but you should always use the official form for your specific court and case type. Many courts publish their own judgment forms on their websites, and some require very specific wording. When in doubt, check with the clerk’s office or a local attorney.

Is a default judgment form different from a regular judgment form?

Often it’s the same basic form with extra sections or checkboxes indicating that the judgment is entered by default. The wording will typically say that the defendant failed to appear or respond after proper service, which is what sets a default judgment apart from a judgment after trial.

Where can I find reliable examples of judgment forms online?

Start with official court websites and government resources. The U.S. Courts site offers federal forms, and most state court systems host their own civil, small claims, and family law judgment forms. Legal aid organizations and law school websites also sometimes provide annotated examples.

Does a consent judgment go on my record the same way as other judgments?

In most cases, yes. A consent judgment is still a court judgment. It can appear in public court records, and in many jurisdictions, it can affect credit or be enforced like any other judgment. The main difference is that the parties agreed to the terms instead of having them imposed after a contested hearing.

When you look at all these real examples side by side, the pattern becomes clearer. Whether you’re dealing with a small claims dispute, a missed court date, or a carefully negotiated settlement, judgment forms are simply the courts’ way of putting decisions into writing so they can be enforced. Once you’ve seen a few solid examples of 3 practical examples of judgment forms, the mystery starts to fade—and the paperwork becomes a lot less intimidating.