For good cause shown the court may set aside a judgment by default in accordance with Rule 60.02.
Rule 55.02.Setting aside default.
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRule 55.02 lets a Kentucky court set aside a default judgment for good cause shown, applying the same standard used for relief from judgment generally under Rule 60.02.
Full Text of Rule 55.02
Amendment History
The source reproduced here (current through June 18, 2026) records no amendment to this rule since its original adoption — no History line appears for it in the compiled rules. For the underlying adopting order and any later amendments, see the West’s Rules & Procedures.
Plain-English Summary
A default judgment is not the end of the road. Rule 55.02 lets the court set one aside when the party against whom it was entered shows good cause. The rule does not spell out its own list of grounds - it points instead to Rule 60.02, the general rule governing relief from a judgment, and applies that standard here.
That link means a request to undo a default judgment gets measured by the same good-cause standard the court uses to decide whether to reopen any other judgment, not a standard built only for defaults.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a default judgment set aside in Kentucky?
Rule 55.02 lets the court set aside a default judgment for good cause shown. The rule applies the standard set out in Rule 60.02, which governs relief from judgments generally.
Is there a separate standard for undoing a Kentucky default judgment versus any other judgment?
No. Rule 55.02 does not create its own separate test. It applies the good-cause standard of Rule 60.02 to default judgments specifically.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 55.02). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Kentucky (Ky. Const. § 116). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: Kentucky CR 55.02set aside default judgment Kentuckyvacate default judgment Kentuckygood cause relief from judgment KentuckyCR 60.02 default judgment