Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Georgia
The most you can sue for in Georgia small claims — with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.
The limit, the fee & who can appear in Georgia
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $15,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$54–$60 filing + ~$35–$50 service significantly by county (each county magistrate court sets its own fees) |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed |
| Statute / court rule | O.C.G.A. §15-10-2 |
The $15,000 ceiling applies to both the plaintiff’s claim and a defendant’s counterclaim. Claims above $15,000 must go to state or superior court.
Where to file in Georgia
A reference page, not a filing walkthrough — here's the official resource for procedure.
This page is a reference for the dollar limit, fee, and whether a lawyer is allowed — not a step-by-step filing guide. For the forms, where to file, and how service works, use Georgia's official court self-help resource.
→ Gwinnett County Magistrate CourtWhat Georgia filers get wrong
Georgia's magistrate courts — often called "small claims court" — hear civil claims up to $15,000 under O.C.G.A. §15-10-2. Two official magistrate courts (Gwinnett and DeKalb) state the "$15,000.00 or less" figure verbatim, and the same cap applies to a defendant's counterclaim, so a dispute can't quietly outgrow the court from either side. Above $15,000 the case belongs in state or superior court. Lawyers are allowed but not required — DeKalb's own FAQ says "you do not have to have an attorney… to bring or defend." The fees are where counties diverge: filing runs about $54–$60 and per-defendant service about $35–$50, but each county magistrate court sets its own schedule, so the two we checked already differed.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Georgia?
Georgia magistrate courts hear civil claims up to $15,000 under O.C.G.A. §15-10-2. The same ceiling applies to a defendant’s counterclaim.
Is magistrate court the same as small claims court in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia’s "small claims court" is the civil side of the county magistrate court, which handles money claims up to $15,000.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Georgia?
No. You may bring or defend a magistrate-court claim without an attorney. Lawyers are allowed if you want one, but they are not required.
How much does it cost to file in Georgia magistrate court?
It varies by county — roughly $54–$60 to file plus about $35–$50 per defendant for service. Each county magistrate court sets its own fees, so confirm with the court where you will file.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.