requirement of a meritorious defense in Pennsylvania

2026If the petition to open default judgment is filed within ten days of the entry of the default judgment on the trial court docket and the petition states a meritorious defense, then a petitioner is relieved of having to provide “a reasonable excuse or explanation for failing to file a responsive pleading.” Boatin v. Miller, 955 A.2d 424, 428 (Pa. Super. 2008); see also Myers, 986 A.2d at 176 n.3. “[T]o state a meritorious defense, a petitioner need only allege a defense that entitles him [or her] to a judgment in his [or her] favor, if proven at trial.” Boatin, 955 A.2d at 429 ; see also Smith

2026Smith v. Morrell Beer Dist., 29 A.3d 23, 26 (Pa. Super. 2011) (stating “the requirement of a meritorious defense is only that a defense must be pleaded that if proved at trial would justify relief” (citation modified)).

2020Id., at 13-14 (reproduced record citations and quotation marks omitted). -8- Keeping our standard of review in mind, this Court has previously described the meritorious defense prong as follows: “The requirement of a meritorious defense is only that a defense must be pleaded that if proved at trial would justify relief.” Provident Credit Corporation v. Young, 300 Pa.Super. 117 , 446 A.2d 257, 262 (1982) (citation omitted).

2020Id., at 13-14 (reproduced record citations and quotation marks omitted). -8- Keeping our standard of review in mind, this Court has previously described the meritorious defense prong as follows: “The requirement of a meritorious defense is only that a defense must be pleaded that if proved at trial would justify relief.” Provident Credit Corporation v. Young, 300 Pa.Super. 117 , 446 A.2d 257, 262 (1982) (citation omitted).

2020“The defendant does not have to prove every element of [its] defense, however, [it] must set forth the defense in precise, specific and clear terms.” Castings Condominium Association v. Klein, 444 Pa.Super. 68 , 663 A.2d 220, 224 (1995) (citation omitted).

2020“The defendant does not have to prove every element of [its] defense, however, [it] must set forth the defense in precise, specific and clear terms.” Castings Condominium Association v. Klein, 444 Pa.Super. 68 , 663 A.2d 220, 224 (1995) (citation omitted).

2015Id. 5 ."The requirement of a meritorious defense is only that a defense must be pleaded that if proved at trial would justify relief.

2010“The requirement of a meritorious defense is only that a defense must be pleaded that if proved at trial would justify relief; however, it must set forth the defense in precise, specific and clear terms.” Seeger v. First Union Nat’l Bank, 836 A.2d 163, 166 (Pa. Super. 2003).

2026If the petition to open default judgment is filed within ten days of the entry of the default judgment on the trial court docket and the petition states a meritorious defense, then a petitioner is relieved of having to provide “a reasonable excuse or explanation for failing to file a responsive pleading.” Boatin v. Miller, 955 A.2d 424, 428 (Pa. Super. 2008); see also Myers, 986 A.2d at 176 n.3. “[T]o state a meritorious defense, a petitioner need only allege a defense that entitles him [or her] to a judgment in his [or her] favor, if proven at trial.” Boatin, 955 A.2d at 429 ; see also Smith

2026“In deciding whether a petitioner has shown a meritorious defense, however, we do not decide whether the defense will prevail, but only whether it will be sufficient to take the case to the jury, if the judgment is opened and the petitioner permitted to defend the claim.” Duffy, 429 A.2d at 652 (citations omitted); accord Jacks Auto Parts Sales, Inc. v. MJ Auto Body & Repair, LLC, 305 A.3d 162, 174 (Pa. Super. 2023) (Jacks) (stating that in “order to support its petition to open the default judgement, [the petitioner] has the burden to support its allegations of fact with competent evidence, w

2026“In deciding whether a petitioner has shown a meritorious defense, however, we do not decide whether the defense will prevail, but only whether it will be sufficient to take the case to the jury, if the judgment is opened and the petitioner permitted to defend the claim.” Duffy, 429 A.2d at 652 (citations omitted); accord Jacks Auto Parts Sales, Inc. v. MJ Auto Body & Repair, LLC, 305 A.3d 162, 174 (Pa. Super. 2023) (Jacks) (stating that in “order to support its petition to open the default judgement, [the petitioner] has the burden to support its allegations of fact with competent evidence, w

2026If the petition to open default judgment is filed within ten days of the entry of the default judgment on the trial court docket and the petition states a meritorious defense, then a petitioner is relieved of having to provide “a reasonable excuse or explanation for failing to file a responsive pleading.” Boatin v. Miller, 955 A.2d 424, 428 (Pa. Super. 2008); see also Myers, 986 A.2d at 176 n.3. “[T]o state a meritorious defense, a petitioner need only allege a defense that entitles him [or her] to a judgment in his [or her] favor, if proven at trial.” Boatin, 955 A.2d at 429 ; see also Smith

2026If the petition to open default judgment is filed within ten days of the entry of the default judgment on the trial court docket and the petition states a meritorious defense, then a petitioner is relieved of having to provide “a reasonable excuse or explanation for failing to file a responsive pleading.” Boatin v. Miller, 955 A.2d 424, 428 (Pa. Super. 2008); see also Myers, 986 A.2d at 176 n.3. “[T]o state a meritorious defense, a petitioner need only allege a defense that entitles him [or her] to a judgment in his [or her] favor, if proven at trial.” Boatin, 955 A.2d at 429 ; see also Smith

2022The defense does not have to prove every element of its defense[;] however, it must set forth the defense in precise, specific and clear terms.” Penn Delco School v. Bell Atlantic-PA, 745 A.2d 14, 19 (Pa. Super. 1999) (citations omitted).

1974All it [must] do [is] produce such evidence as would persuade the court that, upon submission of *36 the issue to a jury, a verdict in its favor could be upheld.” 4 Yellow Cab Company of Philadelphia v. Carpol Realty Co., Inc., 221 Pa. Superior Ct. 182, 136, 289 A. 2d 241 (1972).