A. A default judgment in an action to which this chapter applies shall only be entered if the complaint or amended complaint is accompanied by a separate notice warning that a default judgment may be awarded against the consumer.
§ 8.01-465.29.(Effective July 1, 2027) Consumer notice.
Chapter 17.4. Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act · Last amended 2026 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceEffective July 1, 2027, this section requires every consumer-debt complaint seeking a default judgment to come with a plain-language notice, resembling a statutory model form, warning that a default judgment can last at least ten years, trigger property sale or garnishment, and hurt credit, housing, and job prospects, while pointing the consumer toward legal help.
Full Text of § 8.01-465.29
B. The notice shall be in a record substantially similar to the form set forth in subsection C and shall state:
1. That if the consumer does not file an answer to the complaint or amended complaint within the time and in the manner indicated in the summons or does not appear for the hearing referred to in the summons, a default judgment may be entered against the consumer;
2. That if such default judgment is entered against the consumer, the amount of the judgment, plus interest, remains in effect for at least 10 years, even if the judgment no longer remains on the consumer's credit report;
3. That after entry of a default judgment, the plaintiff may, as permitted by relevant provisions of law, take steps to recover such judgment by initiating an action for (i) the judicial sale of the consumer's real property; (ii) requesting that the court issue a writ of fieri facias or writ of possession for the seizure or sale, or both, of the personal property of the consumer; (iii) attachment of specific personal property; or (iv) garnishment;
4. That entry of a default judgment may impair access to employment, insurance, credit, or housing;
5. That an attorney may provide assistance in understanding the complaint or amended complaint and advice about what action to take in response to such complaint or amended complaint; and
6. Contact information for a legal aid or attorney referral service that may assist the consumer in finding an attorney who may provide free or reduced cost legal services.
C. The following notice meets the requirements of this section:
CONSUMER NOTICE
WARNING
IF YOU DO NOT ACT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU
1. Why am I getting this Notice?
You are getting this notice because (name of plaintiff) says you owe money. (Name of plaintiff) has filed a lawsuit against you to collect the money you owe.
2. What will happen if I do nothing?
If you do not [ ] file a response to the lawsuit and/or [ ] appear at the hearing on the date and time indicated on the attached summons, a judgment may be entered against you.
3. What happens if a judgment is entered against me?
The law provides multiple methods for a creditor to recover money against you. Your property may be taken and sold, money may be taken directly from your bank account, your wages may be garnished, or a lien may be put on your house or other real estate or your real estate may be sold.
If the judgment is not paid in full, the amount due may grow because of interest charges.
You will owe the amount of the judgment for at least 10 years, even if it no longer appears on your credit report.
The judgment may make it harder for you to get a job or insurance and more expensive for you to get a loan or credit card, rent an apartment, or buy a house or car.
4. Is help available?
You may wish to speak with a lawyer. A lawyer may be able to explain the situation and help you decide what to do. The following office may be able to help you find a lawyer (name and contact information of legal aid or attorney referral service).
Plain-English Summary
A detailed complaint under § 8.01-465.28 does not mean much to a consumer who does not understand what is at stake, so this section requires a separate plain-language warning alongside it. A default judgment under this chapter can be entered only if the complaint or amended complaint is accompanied by a separate notice warning that a default judgment may be awarded against the consumer.
That notice has to cover real consequences, not just a bare warning. It must explain that failing to answer or appear can lead to a default judgment; that the judgment, plus interest, stays in effect for at least ten years even after it drops off the consumer's credit report; that the creditor may afterward pursue judicial sale of real property, a writ of fieri facias or writ of possession, attachment of specific property, or garnishment; and that a default judgment can make it harder to get a job, insurance, credit, or housing.
The notice also has to point the consumer toward help — explaining that a lawyer can help make sense of the complaint and decide how to respond, and providing contact information for a legal aid or attorney referral service. Subsection C supplies a model notice that, followed substantially as written, satisfies all of these requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must accompany the complaint for a default judgment to be entered under this chapter?
A separate notice warning that a default judgment may be awarded against the consumer.
How long does the notice say a default judgment stays in effect?
At least 10 years, plus interest, even if the judgment no longer appears on the consumer's credit report.
What collection tools does the notice say the creditor may use after a default judgment?
Judicial sale of the consumer's real property, a writ of fieri facias or writ of possession to seize or sell personal property, attachment of specific personal property, or garnishment.
Does the notice have to mention legal help?
Yes, it must explain that an attorney can help the consumer understand the complaint and decide how to respond, and must include contact information for a legal aid or attorney referral service.
Is there a pre-approved way to satisfy this section's notice requirement?
Yes, subsection C sets out a model notice that, used substantially as written, meets the section's requirements.
Amendment History
2026, c. 395.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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