Opinion ID: 2389557
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Plaintiff's failure to show a meritorious defense to the counterclaim.

Text: The record is silent regarding the facts which might dispute the claim that Mr. Gregory's conveyances were not in good faith but were merely a device to hinder, delay and defraud Mrs. Gregory in the satisfaction of her divorce judgment-execution in the amount of twenty-five thousand ($25,000.00) dollars. If the trial court is to determine the meritorious nature of the defaulted party's alleged defense, it must be presented facts from which it may conclude that such a meritorious defense exists. The mere assertion that such a meritorious defense does exist is insufficient to support a motion to set aside a default entry or default judgment. Whether the default entry or default judgment resulted from factual circumstances justifying relief is a question of fact and must be proven by evidence, which, as appears from this record, was not forthcoming. Willette v. Umhoeffer, supra; Consolidated Masonry & Fireproof, Inc. v. Wagman Const. Co., 383 F.2d 249 (4th Cir. 1967); Gomes v. Williams, 420 F.2d 1364 (10th Cir. 1970).