sued apparently a few weeks ago by a neighbor for 1200 dollars

[Ullber]

i was sued apparently a few weeks ago by a neighbor for 1200 dollars owed on a car I bought from him, and never responded or went to court.
The court date was 2 weeks ago it seems.

What now is going to happen?

[adjusterjack]

You can go to the courthouse and review the case file but my educated guess is that he got a default judgment for $1200 plus court costs plus interest. In all but a few states he can garnish your wages, in all states he can levy your bank account, attach non-exempt personal property, trash your credit and maybe even repo the vehicle. The judgment (typically enforceable for 10 to 20 years) can be recorded and become a lien on your home if you own one or on any future home that you purchase.

In other words, lots of bad things.

[Gallant]

If you have a default file something saying you were sick or covid or whatever might be true...

Then file to set it aside.