What court should I use to collect a business debt in Georgia?

Debts under $15,000 can be filed in Magistrate Court, which is faster and less expensive. Claims between $15,000 and $25,000 may go to State Court or Superior Court. Claims above $25,000 typically go to Superior Court. GA Law Group files in the court that best serves the size and nature of your claim.

What can I do after I get a judgment?

Georgia provides wage garnishment (intercept the debtor's paycheck), bank account garnishment, and liens on real property through a fi. fa. GA Law Group pursues these tools aggressively to actually collect the money owed — not just obtain a paper judgment.

How long do I have to collect on a Georgia judgment?

A Georgia judgment is valid for seven years but can be renewed. Recording a fi. fa. lien must be done within seven years of the judgment. GA Law Group monitors collection deadlines and takes action before they expire.

What if the debtor files for bankruptcy?

A bankruptcy filing automatically stays (stops) most collection activity. GA Law Group coordinates with bankruptcy counsel when debtors file and evaluates whether your debt may be non-dischargeable due to fraud or other misconduct — which would allow collection to resume after the bankruptcy.

Civil Litigation

Recovering What You Are Owed.

When a customer, client, or debtor refuses to pay a legitimate debt, you have legal remedies. GA Law Group pursues debt collection through Georgia courts — from filing suit through judgment and collection — for businesses and individuals throughout Northeast Georgia.

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Commercial debt collection in Georgia involves more than a demand letter. When debtors will not pay voluntarily, GA Law Group files suit, obtains judgment, and pursues collection through Georgia's post-judgment collection tools — garnishment, levy, and liens — to actually recover what you are owed.

Filing Suit and Obtaining Judgment

For debts under $15,000, Magistrate Court provides an efficient, low-cost forum. Larger claims go to State or Superior Court. GA Law Group evaluates which forum best serves your claim and files suit with the documentation necessary to obtain a quick default judgment when the debtor fails to appear.

Post-Judgment Collection

A judgment is only the first step. To actually collect money, Georgia provides several tools: wage garnishment (targeting the debtor's employer to intercept wages), bank account garnishment (freezing and collecting funds in the debtor's bank accounts), and fi. fa. (a writ of fieri facias that creates a lien on the debtor's personal property in the county).

Judgment Liens on Real Estate

Recording a fi. fa. from a Georgia court judgment creates a lien on all real property the debtor owns in that county. This lien must be satisfied before the debtor can sell or refinance the property — a powerful collection tool for debtors who own real estate in Northeast Georgia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Debt Collection FAQ

: Debts under $15,000 can be filed in Magistrate Court, which is faster and less expensive. Claims between $15,000 and $25,000 may go to State Court or Superior Court. Claims above $25,000 typically go to Superior Court. GA Law Group files in the court that best serves the size and nature of your claim.
: Georgia provides wage garnishment (intercept the debtor's paycheck), bank account garnishment, and liens on real property through a fi. fa. GA Law Group pursues these tools aggressively to actually collect the money owed — not just obtain a paper judgment.
: A Georgia judgment is valid for seven years but can be renewed. Recording a fi. fa. lien must be done within seven years of the judgment. GA Law Group monitors collection deadlines and takes action before they expire.
: A bankruptcy filing automatically stays (stops) most collection activity. GA Law Group coordinates with bankruptcy counsel when debtors file and evaluates whether your debt may be non-dischargeable due to fraud or other misconduct — which would allow collection to resume after the bankruptcy.

Related Services

More Civil Litigation Services

Contract Disputes

When a contract is breached, you have legal recourse — but the path to recovery requires strategy, documentation, and knowledge of Georgia contract law. GA Law Group represents businesses and individuals in contract disputes throughout Northeast Georgia.

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Business Litigation

Business disputes — between partners, with customers, with competitors, or over ownership — require strategic legal counsel that understands both the legal landscape and the business realities at stake. GA Law Group represents Northeast Georgia businesses in the full range of commercial disputes.

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Property Disputes

Property disputes — boundary lines, easements, adverse possession, trespass, and encroachments — require an attorney who understands Georgia real property law and the local landscape of Northeast Georgia courts. GA Law Group resolves property disputes efficiently.

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Appeals

An unfavorable trial court judgment is not necessarily the end. GA Law Group handles civil appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals and Georgia Supreme Court — challenging legal errors and protecting successful verdicts against appeal.

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Talk to a Georgia Debt Collection Attorney

GA Law Group handles debt collection matters throughout Northeast Georgia. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.

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