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 Washington State, a judgment in a lawsuit represents the court's final decision on the rights and duties of the parties involved in a legal dispute. This judgment specifies the type of remedy or compensation awarded to one party by the other, which can include monetary damages, transfer of asset ownership, or injunctive relief—mandating a party to perform specific actions (like making mortgage payments or selling property) or to abstain from certain behaviors (such as contacting someone or approaching within a certain distance of them). The date the judgment is signed by the court is critical, as it typically starts the timeline for various post-judgment actions. For instance, parties wishing to appeal the judgment must file a notice of appeal within a specific period defined by Washington law, which is generally 30 days for civil cases. Failure to adhere to these deadlines can result in the loss of the right to appeal or to take other post-judgment legal steps.