Background:

A year ago, I was served with a lawsuit related to a contract dispute with an old business I was associated with. Due to personal reasons (I had a baby this year), I neglected the lawsuit and did not respond, resulting in a default judgment being granted against me on 10/2 by the New York Supreme Court (Bronx). The case revolves around a one-page equipment lease contract for a dishwasher, where I signed personal guarantees and waived the statute of limitations clause.

The lawsuit involved not only me but also my former business associate and the associated company. Since I failed to respond or appear in court, the plaintiffs’ attorneys were able to secure a judgment for the full amount.
Current Situation:

    Default Judgment: The judgment has already been entered, but I have not been officially served with the judgment yet.
    Court and Timeline: I discovered the judgment today via the NYS Court System but do not know how the timeline works regarding when I’ll be formally served.
    Next Steps: I’ve already reached out to the plaintiff's attorney to discuss the judgment, but I am unsure of the appropriate course of action moving forward.

Request for Legal Advice:

I am seeking legal guidance on the following points:

    Responding to the Court: Should I respond to the court or file any motions, given that a default judgment has already been granted? Is there an opportunity to challenge or vacate the judgment based on my failure to appear?
    Dealing with the Attorney: How should I approach discussions with the plaintiff's attorney? Is it possible to negotiate a settlement or payment plan at this stage, and if so, how should I handle that conversation?
    Payment Plan and Settlement: What are my options regarding paying the judgment? Is there a way to establish a fair payment plan or negotiate the total amount?
    Long-term Impact: What potential consequences do I face in terms of collections, credit, or other actions due to this judgment, and how can I best mitigate them?

What I Have:

I have all the relevant documents, including the original contract and court records, which I am happy to share for review.
Looking Forward to Your Advice:

I would greatly appreciate professional advice on how to handle this situation and navigate the next steps. If you have experience in this type of case, I would be open to discussing options and any recommendations you may have.

I look forward to hearing from you and working together to resolve this matter.

Thank you!