12-22-17. Hearing on contest--Default judgment prohibited.After answer has been interposed or after time for answer has expired, and when no answer is interposed, the court on application of any party, and on five days' notice to all other parties, unless the court for cause shall shorten such time, shall conduct a hearing on which a date for trial shall be fixed, which date shall be as early as reasonably possible, and the procedure to be followed determined, with full power in the court to provide for any and all of the matters specified in §12-22-10. No judgment shall be entered by default, and if no answer is interposed, the court shall nevertheless proceed to determine the relevant and material facts. Source: SDC 1939, §16.1914.
South Dakota Legal Code