The judgment in a lawsuit is the court’s final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the disputed matters. It describes the relief or recovery that one party should have from the other—whether in the form of money, ownership of disputed assets, or injunctive relief that requires a party to take a certain action (make mortgage payments or sell a piece of real or personal property) or refrain from taking an certain action (contacting another person by phone or email or coming within 100 feet of them).

The date on which the court signs the judgment usually triggers or begins the running of postjudgment deadlines such as for filing a notice of appeal of the judgment.

In South Dakota, a judgment in a lawsuit represents the court's final decision on the issues presented during the case. It establishes the rights and duties of the parties involved, detailing what one party is entitled to receive from the other. This could include monetary compensation, transfer of property ownership, or injunctive relief, which may compel a party to perform specific actions like making mortgage payments or prohibit them from engaging in certain behaviors, such as contacting someone or approaching them within a specified distance. The judgment is legally binding and enforceable. The date the judgment is signed by the court is critical as it often marks the start of various post-judgment timeframes. For instance, in South Dakota, a party typically has 30 days from the date of judgment to file a notice of appeal to challenge the court's decision. Failure to adhere to these deadlines can result in the loss of the right to appeal and other post-judgment remedies.