The Georgia Statement of Claim is the one-page civil complaint that starts a small-claims lawsuit in Magistrate Court for any money dispute up to $15,000, and it must be filed with the clerk of the Magistrate Court in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Every Georgia magistrate court uses a version of the form approved by the Council of Magistrate Court Judges, and most counties customize the layout slightly while keeping the same core fields required by O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43.
Getting this form right matters because Georgia magistrate courts dismissed or returned more than 1 in 4 pro se filings for fixable errors in recent clerk audits, and a rejected filing can cost you the statute of limitations on your claim. Here is what this guide covers:
- 📝 Every box on the statewide Statement of Claim explained line by line
- ⚖️ The exact statutes, court rules, and jurisdictional limits that govern the form
- 💰 Filing fees, service fees, and payment methods for every Georgia county
- 🧾 Three full scenario walkthroughs (landlord, contractor dispute, car accident)
- ❓ Twelve plain-English FAQs covering field-level questions and what happens after you file
What the Statement of Claim Is and Who Must File It
The Statement of Claim is the official complaint form used in Georgia Magistrate Court, sometimes called “small claims court,” to start a civil money lawsuit for $15,000 or less. It is authorized by O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43 and standardized by the Council of Magistrate Court Judges of Georgia, the body that publishes the model form every county adapts. The form tells the court three things: who is suing, who is being sued, and why money is owed.
Anyone with a civil money claim of $15,000 or less can file it. That includes individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. Landlords use it for unpaid rent and damages, contractors use it for unpaid invoices, consumers use it for refunds and shoddy work, and drivers use it for property damage after fender-benders. The jurisdictional cap comes from O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2, which also bars magistrate courts from hearing equity cases, divorces, or claims over the cap.
You cannot use the Statement of Claim for evictions (those use a Dispossessory Affidavit), for criminal matters, or for claims that need an injunction. Corporations and LLCs may file and defend small-claims cases without an attorney under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43(j), which is unusual in Georgia and one of the few business-friendly quirks of magistrate practice. Filing volume statewide tops 200,000 cases each year, so clerks process these forms quickly but unforgivingly.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything before you open the form. Magistrate clerks will not let you “fix it later” without an amended filing, and an amended filing can cost another fee. The pre-filing checklist below is the bare minimum for a clean filing.
- Defendant’s exact legal name. For a person, use the full legal name from a driver’s license or state ID. For a business, pull the registered name from the Georgia Secretary of State Business Search. A wrong name kills the judgment because you cannot collect against a non-existent party.
- Defendant’s current street address. P.O. boxes do not work for service of process. The sheriff or marshal needs a physical address to hand-deliver papers.
- Your own legal name and address. The court mails every order, hearing notice, and judgment here, so a typo can mean missing a hearing.
- A short, factual statement of what happened. Dates, dollar amounts, and what the defendant did or failed to do.
- Documents proving the debt. Contracts, invoices, lease agreements, repair estimates, photos, text messages, emails, or receipts.
- The exact dollar amount you are suing for. This must be principal damages plus any contract-based interest, not speculative future losses.
- Filing fee in cash, money order, check, or card. Fees range from about $46 to $108 depending on the county under each county’s adopted fee schedule.
- Service fee per defendant. Sheriff or marshal service typically runs $50 per defendant under each county’s published civil process fees.
- A government-issued photo ID. Required for in-person filings and notarization at most clerk windows.
- Your email address. Required for e-filing through PeachCourt or Odyssey eFileGA.
If any item is missing, the clerk will either reject the filing at the window or accept it and let it die later when service fails. Both outcomes waste time and money.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The statewide model form lives on the Council of Magistrate Court Judges forms page as a fillable PDF, with a revision date printed in the bottom corner. Always confirm you have the most recent revision because the council updates the form when the legislature changes the jurisdictional limit or court rules. The latest revisions reflect the $15,000 cap raised by the General Assembly in recent sessions.
Most counties also post their own version. Fulton County hosts its civil forms on the Fulton County Magistrate Court page, DeKalb posts them on the DeKalb County Magistrate Court site, Gwinnett uses the Gwinnett County Magistrate Court portal, and Cobb posts forms on the Cobb County Magistrate Court page. If you e-file, the form is built into PeachCourt as an interactive web form, so you do not download a PDF at all.
You can also pick up a paper copy at the clerk’s window during business hours. Some rural counties only stock paper forms, which means you cannot e-file there even if you wanted to. The Uniform Magistrate Court Rules require every magistrate clerk to make the form available free of charge.
The form is short, usually one page front-and-back, and uses plain language. Do not be fooled by its simplicity. Every field is a potential dismissal point if filled out wrong.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Statement of Claim Line by Line
The statewide form has roughly a dozen labeled fields plus a verification block and signature line. Walk through each one in order. Every field below uses the exact label printed on the form so you can match it to the document in front of you.
Caption: Court, County, and Civil Action Number
The top of the form reads “IN THE MAGISTRATE COURT OF ______ COUNTY, STATE OF GEORGIA” with a blank for the county and a blank labeled “Civil Action No.” The county blank is where you write the county where the lawsuit will be heard, which under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-30 is usually the county where the defendant lives.
Write the county name in capital letters, like FULTON. Leave the Civil Action Number blank because the clerk assigns it when you file. Maria Lopez, a landlord in Atlanta suing a tenant who lives in East Point, would write FULTON because the tenant resides there.
The most common nuance is when the defendant lives in one county but the contract was signed or the accident happened in another. Venue almost always follows the defendant’s residence, not the location of the dispute, except for a few statutory exceptions. A frequent mistake is filing in the plaintiff’s home county for convenience, which gets the case transferred or dismissed and forces a refiling fee.
A misconception filers carry is that “my county” means the plaintiff’s county. It does not. Magistrate courts strictly follow residence-based venue rules.
Plaintiff Name and Address Block
This block asks for the full legal name, mailing address, and phone number of the person or business filing the suit. Write your full legal name exactly as it appears on your driver’s license, like MARIA L. LOPEZ. If you are filing on behalf of a business, write the business name and add your title, like Lopez Properties LLC, by Maria Lopez, Member.
Use a street address you actually check daily because the court mails hearing notices here. List a phone number where you can be reached during business hours. Include an email if the form asks for it, since many counties now send notices electronically.
The most common edge case is filing under a “doing business as” name. Write the legal entity name first, then d/b/a and the trade name, like Lopez Properties LLC d/b/a Maria’s Rentals. Failing to use the registered legal name can void any judgment you win.
A common mistake is using a P.O. box without also listing a physical address when the court rules require one. The consequence is that a default judgment may be set aside if the defendant cannot serve counterclaim papers on you. The misconception is that you must hide your home address; you do not, and using a fake one is grounds for dismissal.
Defendant Name and Address Block
This block is the single most error-prone field on the entire form. Write the defendant’s full legal name exactly as it appears on official records. For an individual, use the legal name from a driver’s license. For a business, pull the exact registered name from the Georgia Secretary of State Business Search and copy it character for character, including LLC, Inc., or Corporation.
If the defendant is a sole proprietorship, sue the human owner and add the d/b/a, like John Smith d/b/a Smith Roofing. If the defendant is a corporation or LLC, list the entity and serve the registered agent listed on the Secretary of State page. Carlos Reyes, suing a contractor, would write Premier Home Repairs LLC and serve the registered agent at the address on file.
The common edge case is suing both an LLC and its owner personally. You list both as separate defendants on separate lines and pay a separate service fee for each. The most common mistake is suing a “trade name” alone, like Bob’s Plumbing, when no such legal entity exists. The judgment will be unenforceable because you cannot levy against a name that does not exist.
A misconception is that you can fix the name later. You can amend, but only before judgment, and a defendant who already paid an attorney to answer will fight the amendment.
Nature and Amount of the Claim
This is the heart of the form. The field, often labeled “the defendant is indebted to the plaintiff in the sum of $______ on account of the following,” asks for the dollar amount and a short factual statement. Write the principal amount you are owed in numerals, like $4,250.00, then describe the debt in two to four sentences using dates and concrete facts.
A clean entry reads: Defendant signed a residential lease on January 1, 2025, for a monthly rent of $1,500. Defendant failed to pay rent for April, May, and June 2026, leaving an unpaid balance of $4,500.00 plus $250 in late fees, for a total of $4,250.00 after applying the security deposit. That tells the judge what the contract was, what the breach was, and how the damages are calculated.
The most common edge case is mixing principal, interest, and attorney’s fees. Magistrate courts allow contract-based interest and statutory attorney’s fees under O.C.G.A. § 13-1-11 only if the contract authorizes them and the proper notice was sent. Lump them in correctly or list them separately on the line below.
A common mistake is writing “money owed” with no dates or amounts. The judge cannot grant a default on a vague claim and will dismiss it. The misconception is that you should hide the math to “see what the judge gives you.” The opposite is true; specific math wins judgments.
Interest, Court Costs, and Attorney’s Fees Lines
Many county versions have separate lines for pre-judgment interest, court costs, and attorney’s fees. Pre-judgment interest at the legal rate of 7% under O.C.G.A. § 7-4-2 accrues on liquidated debts from the date of demand. Write the calculated dollar amount, like $148.75 interest from May 1, 2026 through filing date.
Court costs are simply the filing and service fees you paid; the clerk fills these in at judgment. Attorney’s fees require either a contract clause authorizing them or compliance with O.C.G.A. § 13-1-11, which demands a written 10-day notice before suit.
The edge case is bad-faith damages and litigation expenses under O.C.G.A. § 13-6-11, which require a separate plea and proof of stubborn litigiousness. Most pro se filers skip them and lose the chance.
A common mistake is requesting attorney’s fees on a pro se case. You cannot collect attorney’s fees if you have no attorney. The misconception is that “court costs” includes your time off work; it does not.
Demand and Notice Statement
Some county forms include a check-box or sentence stating that demand was made before suit. If your contract or statute requires pre-suit demand, like the O.C.G.A. § 13-1-11 attorney’s fee notice or the O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34 security deposit demand, check the box and attach the demand letter.
Write the date of the demand and the method, like Written demand sent by certified mail on April 15, 2026, return receipt #7012-XXXX. Attach the green card or USPS tracking screenshot to the filing.
The edge case is oral demand. Georgia accepts oral demand for some contracts but not for statutory fee-shifting. When in doubt, send a written demand and wait the required period before filing. The common mistake is filing the same day as the demand letter, which voids any statutory fee-shifting and weakens credibility.
The misconception is that “I texted them” counts as written demand for fee-shifting. It rarely does; certified mail is the safe path.
Verification (Notarization Block)
The Statement of Claim must be verified, meaning sworn to before a notary or the clerk under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43. Sign your name on the plaintiff signature line in the presence of the notary, who then signs and stamps the form. Most magistrate clerks notarize at no charge.
Print your name beneath the signature exactly as it appears in the plaintiff block. Date the signature line with the date you sign, in MM/DD/YYYY format. Maria Lopez signs Maria L. Lopez and dates 05/25/2026.
The edge case is e-filing through PeachCourt, which uses an electronic verification box you check after typing your full name and the date. The system creates a digital affidavit that satisfies the verification requirement.
The common mistake is signing before reaching the clerk’s window. The notary will reject a pre-signed form and make you sign again. The misconception is that any notary works; for in-court verification, the magistrate clerk’s notary is preferred and free.
Plaintiff’s Signature Line
Sign your full legal name on the line and print it directly below. If you are filing on behalf of a business, sign your name and add your title, like Maria L. Lopez, Member, Lopez Properties LLC. The signature is your sworn statement that the facts are true.
Use blue or black ink for paper filings. For e-filings, the system applies a digital signature once you type your name and check the verification box.
The edge case is co-plaintiffs. Each plaintiff must sign separately, and each must verify before a notary. The common mistake is one spouse signing for both; the unsigned spouse’s claim gets dismissed. The misconception is that initials count as a signature; they do not for verification purposes.
Defendant Service Information
This separate block, sometimes on the back of the form, asks where the sheriff or marshal should serve the defendant. Write the defendant’s residential street address, apartment number, and any gate codes or special access notes. For a business, write the registered agent’s address from the Secretary of State.
If the defendant works second shift or travels, note the best times for service. Some counties have a “Special Instructions” line for this. Janet Carter, suing for a car-accident damage claim, writes the defendant’s home address plus Best served weekday evenings after 6 p.m..
The edge case is a defendant who avoids service. After two failed attempts, you can ask the court for service by publication or by an alternative method under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-4. The common mistake is listing only a workplace address; many sheriffs refuse to serve at workplaces. The misconception is that mailing a copy yourself counts as service; it does not in Georgia magistrate courts.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how three named filers complete the entire form for the most common magistrate court fact patterns.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Landlord Suing for Unpaid Rent
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County | FULTON |
| Civil Action No. | (left blank for clerk) |
| Plaintiff | Lopez Properties LLC, by Maria L. Lopez, Member, 123 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta GA 30303, (404) 555-0101 |
| Defendant | David R. Johnson, 456 Elm Avenue Apt 2B, East Point GA 30344 |
| Nature of Claim | Defendant signed a residential lease on 1/1/2025 at $1,500/month. Defendant failed to pay April, May, and June 2026 rent. After applying the $1,750 security deposit, balance owed is $4,250. |
| Amount Demanded | $4,250.00 principal + $148.75 interest + court costs |
| Demand Letter | Certified mail demand sent 4/15/2026, USPS #7012-1234-5678 |
| Verification | Signed and notarized at Fulton clerk’s office on 05/25/2026 |
Scenario 2: Carlos Reyes, Consumer Suing a Contractor
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| County | GWINNETT |
| Civil Action No. | (left blank for clerk) |
| Plaintiff | Carlos M. Reyes, 789 Oak Street, Lawrenceville GA 30046, (770) 555-0202 |
| Defendant | Premier Home Repairs LLC, registered agent John Smith, 100 Industrial Way, Duluth GA 30096 |
| Nature of Claim | Defendant contracted on 2/10/2026 to remodel kitchen for $9,800. Defendant accepted $7,000 deposit, abandoned the job 3/15/2026 with cabinets unhung and plumbing leaking. Independent estimate to complete: $6,200. |
| Amount Demanded | $7,000 deposit refund + $2,800 in additional repair costs = $9,800 |
| Attachments | Signed contract, $7,000 cashier’s check copy, photos of unfinished work, replacement estimate |
| Verification | Signed and notarized at Gwinnett clerk’s office on 05/25/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Carter, Driver Suing for Property Damage
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County | COBB |
| Civil Action No. | (left blank for clerk) |
| Plaintiff | Janet A. Carter, 222 Maple Drive, Marietta GA 30060, (678) 555-0303 |
| Defendant | Robert T. Wilson, 333 Pine Lane, Smyrna GA 30080 |
| Nature of Claim | On 3/2/2026 at the intersection of Cobb Pkwy and Windy Hill Rd, defendant rear-ended plaintiff’s 2022 Honda Civic. Defendant’s insurer denied claim. Repair estimate $6,450 + rental car $385. |
| Amount Demanded | $6,835.00 plus court costs |
| Attachments | Police report #2026-12345, two body shop estimates, rental receipt, photos |
| Demand Letter | Written demand sent 4/1/2026 by certified mail |
| Verification | Signed and notarized at Cobb clerk’s office on 05/25/2026 |
Aisha Patel, a freelance graphic designer suing a former client for a $3,200 unpaid invoice, and Marcus Bell, a small-business owner suing a customer who bounced a $2,100 check, would follow the same pattern with their own facts.
How to File the Completed Form
Georgia magistrate courts accept filings through three channels. Pick the channel allowed in the county where the defendant resides, because not every county offers all three.
In person at the clerk’s window. Bring two extra copies plus the original. The clerk stamps all copies, keeps the original, returns one stamped copy to you, and routes the other to the sheriff for service. Filing fees range from about $46 in rural counties to $108 in metro counties, plus roughly $50 per defendant for sheriff service. Cash, money order, certified check, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted at most clerks. Processing is same-day. Keep your stamped copy as proof of filing.
By mail to the clerk’s office. Send the original signed and notarized form, two copies, a check or money order for filing and service fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to the magistrate clerk at the county courthouse address listed on the Council of Magistrate Court Judges directory. Processing takes 3 to 7 business days. Your proof of filing is the stamped copy returned in your SASE.
Online through PeachCourt or Odyssey eFileGA. Most metro counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Chatham, Clayton, Henry) accept e-filings through PeachCourt or Odyssey eFileGA. Create an account, select Magistrate Court, choose the county, and complete the interactive Statement of Claim. Pay filing and service fees by credit card; the system adds a small e-filing surcharge of about $7. Processing is usually next-business-day. Your proof of filing is the email confirmation with the assigned civil action number.
The fee chart below reflects typical 2026 fee ranges; always verify with the local clerk because counties update fees annually.
| County | Filing Fee Range | Sheriff/Marshal Service per Defendant |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton | $98–$108 | $50 |
| DeKalb | $90–$100 | $50 |
| Gwinnett | $85–$95 | $50 |
| Cobb | $85–$95 | $50 |
| Chatham | $80–$90 | $50 |
| Rural counties | $46–$70 | $25–$50 |
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk accepts your Statement of Claim, the sheriff or marshal serves a copy on the defendant along with a summons that lists the answer deadline. Service usually happens within 5 to 15 days. The defendant has 30 days from the date of service to file a written answer under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43(b).
If the defendant answers and denies the claim, the clerk schedules a bench trial, usually within 30 to 60 days of the answer. If the defendant ignores the suit, you can ask the clerk to enter a default judgment after the 30-day window closes. Default in magistrate court is automatic on liquidated claims but still requires a brief hearing on damages for unliquidated claims like personal property damage.
The defendant may file a counterclaim. If the counterclaim exceeds the $15,000 magistrate cap, the case transfers to State Court or Superior Court under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2, which means new filing fees and discovery rules. Either party may also demand a jury trial within the time set by the Uniform Magistrate Court Rules, which transfers the case out of magistrate court.
After judgment, you have 30 days to appeal de novo to State or Superior Court. If you win and the defendant does not pay, you can record the judgment as a lien, garnish wages, or levy on property using post-judgment tools authorized under O.C.G.A. § 18-4-1.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These are the ten most common Statement of Claim errors and what each one costs you.
- Filing in the wrong county: the case gets transferred or dismissed and you pay another fee.
- Misnaming an LLC defendant: any judgment you win is unenforceable.
- Suing only a trade name: you cannot collect against a non-existent legal entity.
- Using a P.O. box for the defendant: the sheriff cannot serve and the case stalls.
- Vague nature-of-claim statement: the judge denies default judgment for lack of specificity.
- Requesting attorney’s fees without a contract clause or O.C.G.A. § 13-1-11 notice: the fee request is stricken.
- Suing for more than $15,000: the clerk rejects the filing or the judge dismisses for lack of jurisdiction.
- Skipping the verification or notarization: the clerk refuses to file.
- Pre-signing the form before reaching the clerk: the notary will not validate it.
- Not attaching contracts or invoices: the judge has no documentary basis to rule for you.
- Listing only a workplace address for service: many sheriffs refuse workplace service.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do verify the defendant’s exact legal name on the Georgia Secretary of State before filing, because a name mistake voids your judgment.
- Do attach every contract, invoice, photo, and receipt that proves your claim, because the judge rules on the paper in the file.
- Do send a written certified-mail demand letter at least 10 days before filing, because it preserves attorney’s fees and shows good faith.
- Do pay the sheriff’s service fee at filing, because the case sits idle until the defendant is served.
- Do keep the clerk-stamped copy of your filing forever, because you may need it to enforce the judgment years later.
- Do show up early on the hearing date, because magistrate dockets are called in order and a late arrival can mean dismissal.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign the form before reaching the notary, because the verification will be invalid.
- Don’t inflate the amount to “leave room to negotiate,” because perjury on a verified pleading is a crime under O.C.G.A. § 16-10-71.
- Don’t sue for more than $15,000, because the case will be dismissed or transferred at your expense.
- Don’t list a P.O. box as the defendant’s only address, because sheriffs cannot serve there.
- Don’t represent another person without a Georgia bar license, because unauthorized practice of law violates O.C.G.A. § 15-19-51.
- Don’t ignore the answer deadline if you are sued; failing to answer means automatic default.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se
- Filing fees are low compared to State Court, often under $110 total.
- The form is short and the rules are designed for non-lawyers.
- Corporations and LLCs can appear without an attorney under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43(j).
- Hearings are usually scheduled within 60 days of filing, faster than State Court.
- You keep 100% of any judgment you collect.
Cons of filing pro se
- One mistake on a verified form can void the entire case.
- Pro se plaintiffs cannot recover attorney’s fees because they have no attorney.
- Collection after judgment is the hardest part and pro se filers often skip it.
- Discovery is limited, so complex cases benefit from a lawyer’s tools.
- Counterclaims can transfer the case to State Court where rules are stricter.
Statewide Form vs. County-Specific Form: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Statewide Council Form | County-Customized Form |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Council of Magistrate Court Judges | County clerk’s office |
| Layout | Uniform across Georgia | Varies by county |
| E-filing compatibility | Accepted in most counties | Required in some counties |
| Field labels | Standardized | May add fee, demand, or attorney’s fee lines |
| Best for | Rural counties without e-filing | Metro counties with PeachCourt |
FAQs
Can I file a Statement of Claim for more than $15,000?
No. Magistrate Court jurisdiction is capped at $15,000 under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2. Larger claims must be filed in State or Superior Court using a different complaint form.
Do I write my full middle name in the plaintiff block?
Yes. Use the full legal name from your driver’s license, including middle name or initial. A mismatch between the form and your ID can cause notarization rejection at the clerk’s window.
Can I list a P.O. box as the defendant’s address in the service block?
No. The sheriff or marshal needs a physical street address to deliver papers. A P.O. box-only listing means service fails and the case stalls.
Should I check the demand-letter box if I only sent a text message?
No. Texts rarely satisfy the written demand requirement, especially for attorney’s fees under O.C.G.A. § 13-1-11. Send certified mail and check the box only after the 10-day period passes.
Can my LLC file the Statement of Claim without a lawyer?
Yes. Georgia magistrate courts allow corporations and LLCs to appear pro se under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43(j). Sign as a member or officer and add your title.
Do I have to notarize the form before bringing it to the clerk?
No. Most magistrate clerks notarize free of charge at the filing window. Pre-notarized forms are also accepted if the notary block is fully completed.
Can I file in my county if the defendant lives in another county?
No. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-30, venue is the defendant’s county of residence with very limited exceptions.
Should I write the dollar amount in numerals or words?
Yes to numerals, like $4,250.00. Most county forms use numerical entry boxes. Spelling it out is unnecessary and can cause clerk data-entry errors.
Can I sue both the LLC and the owner personally on one form?
Yes. List each defendant on a separate line in the defendant block and pay one service fee per defendant. You must allege a separate factual basis for personal liability.
Do I attach contracts and invoices to the Statement of Claim?
Yes. Attach copies of every supporting document. The judge relies on documentary evidence in the file, especially when the defendant defaults.
Can I e-file in any Georgia county?
No. Only counties on PeachCourt or Odyssey eFileGA accept e-filings. Rural counties often require paper filings at the clerk’s window.
What happens if the defendant never answers?
Yes, you can win by default. After the 30-day answer window closes, ask the clerk to enter default judgment under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-43. Liquidated claims get judgment automatically; unliquidated claims need a short damages hearing.
Does the magistrate court collect the judgment for me?
No. The court enters the judgment, but you must enforce it through garnishment, levy, or recording a lien under O.C.G.A. § 18-4-1.
Can I appeal if I lose?
Yes. Either party may appeal de novo to State or Superior Court within 30 days of the magistrate judgment under O.C.G.A. § 15-10-41. The appeal restarts the case from scratch.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Georgia Civil Cover Sheet (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Dispossessory Warrant (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Georgia Captive Insurance Application (GA) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Workers’ Comp Form WC-104 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Workers’ Comp Form WC-14 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Workers’ Comp Form WC-240 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia Form CD 100 (w/Examples) + FAQs