Georgia small claims court limit: what changes in 2027

What is small claims court in Georgia?

It is the magistrate court, a county court. ⁹ The Attorney General calls it "an informal court" and says it is also called small claims court. ⁷ The Georgia Magistrate Council says it helps people represent themselves without an attorney. ⁸

What happens to a claim over the limit?

Jurisdiction means a court's power to hear a case. A magistrate court has none over a claim above the limit. ⁴

The Georgia Court of Appeals held that a magistrate court had no power over a garnishment sought on a $50,000 judgment. It cited an older ruling that jurisdiction "is determined by the amount sued for." ⁶

The statute gives a magistrate court power only over claims within the limit. ⁴

What kinds of cases can a magistrate court hear?

The same law also names these matters:

• Garnishment, which is a court order that takes money from a paycheck or bank account to pay a debt
• Dispossessory proceedings, which are eviction cases
• Distress warrant proceedings ⁴

The civil-claims power does not reach claims that only the superior court may hear. It also bars "prejudgment attachment," which means seizing property before the court rules. ⁴

There are no juries in magistrate court. ⁵

Do you need a lawyer?

No. The Attorney General says you may file in your own name without an attorney, or hire one at your own expense. ⁷

The court clerk can help with forms. The clerk cannot tell you whom to sue or whether you will win. ⁷

The Attorney General's page points to the State Bar of Georgia's directory at gabar.org if you want a lawyer. ⁷

How do you start a case, and what does it cost?

A case starts with a sworn "statement of claim," filed with the court clerk. It says who you are suing, how much you want, and why, with dates. ⁷

Where you file depends on who you are suing. For a person, it is the county where they live. ⁷

The Georgia Magistrate Council offers a free question-and-answer tool that makes court forms you can print and file. It also has a directory of magistrate courts. ⁸

Fees vary by county. The law sets a base filing deposit, by local rule, of no more than $22.00. The plaintiff also pays to serve each defendant. Other sums required by law go on top. ¹

Each county publishes its own totals.

Other counties publish their own amounts. Check your own county's magistrate court page.

Which limit applies to your case?

These are facts, not advice on when to file.

• The $25,000 limit applies to cases filed on or after January 1, 2027. Until then, the limit is $15,000. ¹⁴
• Courts look at the amount sued for. ⁶
• Official court pages written before the change still say $15,000. That is correct for cases filed before January 1, 2027. ⁸⁹
• Fees differ by county. Check yours. ¹⁰