How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in Georgia?

In Georgia, the time a tenant has to respond to an eviction case is governed by O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-50, 44-7-51, 44-7-52, 44-7-55. Seven days from service. If the seventh day is a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.

WhatGeorgia
CourtMagistrate Court, or State or Superior Court, for the county where the property is.

Notes

Georgia has no waiting period after the demand for possession: the affidavit may be filed as soon as the demand is refused. A tenant may pay all rent and costs within seven days of the answer to stop the eviction, once every twelve months.

Source

O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-50, 44-7-51, 44-7-52, 44-7-55 — last checked 2026-09-16.

This is a summary of the published procedure, not legal advice. Courts, local rules and the facts of a tenancy change what applies, and a defect in a notice or a filing can end a case. Have a lawyer review anything before it is served or filed.

How Seayora uses this rule

Seayora does not file, serve or appear in an eviction, and is not anybody’s lawyer. When a tenant has stopped paying, it lays out these steps for the property’s own state and city with the statute beside each one, holds back any step that would come too early, keeps an append-only record of the case — and shows the resident what would end it, legal-aid links included.

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