A court's final resolution of the issues before it at trial or upon a dispositive motion. default judgment. A judgment entered due to the failure of the defendant to answer or otherwise respond to the claim. deficiency judgment. A judgment in favor of a creditor following a forced sale of property, for the difference between the amount owed and the amount collected as a result of the sale, so as to fully compensate the creditor. final judgment. A judgment which fully ends a case, on its merit...