A landlord kept your deposit, a contractor walked off the job, a dry cleaner ruined your coat. In Georgia you can sue for up to $15,000 in the Magistrate Court, without hiring a lawyer. Check your case below, then follow six steps.
Answer a few questions. The result updates as you type.
Georgia doesn't require a demand letter before you sue, but sending one is a good idea. A short, dated demand letter is the best proof. Use the generator below and keep a copy.
Usually the Magistrate Court of the county where the defendant lives. A business is usually sued where its registered office is. Many counties accept e-filing.
Statement of Claim, signed under oath with the defendant's last known address. After the defendant answers, the hearing is set 15 to 30 days after the court's notice; some counties send cases to mediation first.
Fees vary by county. Most courts charge one price covering filing and service on one defendant, recently about $95 to $115. Each extra defendant costs about $10 to $60 more. Check your county clerk's current fee list. If you can't afford it, ask for a fee waiver: Affidavit of Indigence (pauper's affidavit); most counties have their own form.
The sheriff, a marshal or constable, or a court-appointed adult who isn't part of the case delivers the papers to the defendant or leaves them with a suitable adult at their home. The defendant has 30 days after service to answer, in writing or in person at the clerk's office.
Bring receipts, photos, texts, the contract and your demand letter, with three copies of each. After a contested judgment, wait 10 days, then ask for a writ of fieri facias (fi.fa.) and record it to create a lien. Then garnish wages or a bank account or ask the sheriff to levy property.
Want every detail? The full filing guide walks you through all 7 stages, from finding the defendant's legal name to collecting your money, with a checklist.
Open the filing guideFill in the details, then download the letter as a PDF or Word file, or copy the text. Send it by certified mail or email so you can prove the date.
Miss this date and the court will dismiss your case, however strong it is. Certain events can pause the clock.
| Type of claim | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Broken written contract (lease, invoice, signed agreement) | 6 years |
| Broken verbal agreement | 4 years |
| Damaged property | 4 years |
| Personal injury | 2 years |
| Fraud | 4 years |
| Libel or slander | 1 year |
| Claims against a government agency | Send a written notice of claim first: within 6 months for a city, 12 months for a county or the State. |
You can handle the case yourself or hire a lawyer. A business can be represented by one of its employees. A judge decides the case; there's no jury.
The limit is $15,000 for people and businesses. A new law raises it to $25,000 for cases filed on or after January 1, 2027. You can't cut a bigger claim down to fit, and a counterclaim must also stay under the limit. Otherwise, you can give up the amount above the limit, or file a regular civil case where the rules are stricter.
Either side can appeal within 30 days to the county's State Court or Superior Court for a completely new trial, with a jury if wanted. A default judgment can't be appealed this way.
A party with limited English has the right to a free court interpreter. Ask the clerk early.