Superior Court Affirms Trial Court's Refusal To Open and/or Strike a Default Judgment

In the case of Davis v. Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., No. 804 WDA 2025 (Pa. Super. July 7, 2026 Nichols, J., McLaughlin, J., and Sullivan, J.) (Op. by McLaughlin, J.), the Superior Court affirmed a trial court’s denial of a Petition to Strike and/or Open a Default Judgment in a dispute over the alleged mishandling of retirement funds.

The appellate court held that service by publication pursuant to a trial court Order did not reveal a fatal defect on the face of the record such that the Defendant was not entitled to an opening of a default judgment. 

The appellate court noted that the record supported the trial court’s findings that the Defendant did not act promptly, did not provide a reasonable excuse and did not otherwise assert any additional valid arguments in support of the opening of the default judgment.

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Source: The Legal Intelligencer State Appellate Case Alert, www.Law.com (July 24, 2026).

Source of above image:  Photo by Sasun Bughdarya on www.unsplash.com.