If a defendant to a lawsuit does not answer the complaint, what is the likely result?

If a defendant in a lawsuit does not respond to the complaint, the most likely result is a default judgment. This occurs when the court grants a judgment in favor of the plaintiff due to the defendant's failure to provide a timely response or defense against the allegations made in the complaint. The basic principle is that the legal process requires both parties to participate; when one side (the defendant) chooses not to engage, the court can decide in favor of the participating party (the plaintiff) without further ado.

In a default judgment, the court may award the plaintiff the relief they requested in their complaint, assuming it is properly substantiated. This serves to promote fairness and accountability within the judicial system, ensuring that defendants cannot evade responsibility for their actions by neglecting to respond.

Understanding this outcome highlights the importance of timely responses to legal documents, as failing to do so can have significant repercussions for the defendant. The other options available do not directly relate to the passive outcome stemming from a lack of response to the complaint, making default judgment the most applicable result in this scenario.