How to Search Georgia Court Cases Online (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you've been sued by a debt collector in Georgia, your case is sitting in a court docket right now. The clock is ticking. You have 30 days from the date you were served to file a response, and ignoring the problem guarantees a default judgment against you.

Georgia gives you two ways to search for your court case: online through PeachCourt or in person at the courthouse. Most people start with the online portal because it's faster and you can check your case status at midnight in your pajamas if you need to.

This guide walks you through both methods, explains which Georgia court handles debt lawsuits, and shows you what to do once you find your case.

Which Georgia Court Handles Debt Collection Cases?

Georgia's civil court system has three levels that matter for debt lawsuits: Magistrate Courts, State Courts, and Superior Courts. Where your case lands depends entirely on how much the creditor claims you owe.

Magistrate Courts handle the majority of debt collection cases because they have jurisdiction over disputes up to $15,000. If a credit card company or medical debt collector says you owe $8,000, your case starts here. Each of Georgia's 159 counties has its own Magistrate Court.

State Courts take cases above $15,000 but below $25,000, though jurisdictional limits vary slightly by county. State Courts also handle appeals from Magistrate Court decisions.

Superior Courts handle cases over $25,000 and serve as appellate courts for lower court decisions. These courts have general jurisdiction over civil matters statewide.

Check your lawsuit paperwork. The summons will tell you which court filed the case. If you've lost the paperwork or never received it properly, the online case search will tell you where to go.

How to Search Georgia Court Cases Online (PeachCourt)

PeachCourt is Georgia's statewide case management system. Not every county uses it yet, but most do. If your county participates, you can search cases, view dockets, and pull court documents 24/7.

Step 1: Access PeachCourt

Go to peachcourt.com. The site looks dated but works. Click "Case Search" in the main menu. You'll see a list of participating counties. If your county isn't listed, skip to the in-person search section below.

Step 2: Select Your County

Click on the county where the lawsuit was filed. This is usually where you lived when the debt collector initiated the case or where the creditor is located. If you're unsure, start with your home county.

Step 3: Choose Your Search Method

PeachCourt lets you search by:

• Name: Enter your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license. Try variations if nothing comes up (middle initial vs. Full middle name).
• Case Number: If you have the case number from your summons, this is the fastest option.
• Party Name: Search for the plaintiff (the company suing you) if you know their name.

Most people use the name search. Enter your last name and first name. The system will return every case listing someone with that name as a party.

Step 4: Review Your Results

The results page shows case numbers, filing dates, case types, and current status. Look for civil cases filed within the past year. Common case types include "Contract/Account" or "Complaint for Money Only."

Click on a case number to view the full docket. The docket lists every document filed, every hearing scheduled, and every action the court has taken.

Step 5: Check Key Information

Once you open your case, look for these critical details:

• Filing date: When the creditor filed the lawsuit
• Service date: When you were officially served (this starts your response deadline)
• Answer deadline: Some courts list this explicitly; otherwise, it's 30 days from service
• Hearing date: If a trial date is scheduled, it will appear here
• Judgment status: Whether the court has entered a judgment against you

If the docket shows a default judgment, the creditor won because you didn't respond. At that point, they can garnish wages or levy bank accounts. You may still have options to vacate the judgment if you were never properly served.

How to Search Georgia Court Cases In Person

If your county doesn't use PeachCourt or the online system is down, visit the courthouse clerk's office. Each county courthouse maintains physical case records, and clerks are required to let you search them.

Find your courthouse: Google "[Your County] Georgia Magistrate Court" to get the address and hours. Most clerk's offices close by 5 p.m. And operate limited hours on Fridays.

Bring identification: You'll need a driver's license or state ID. Some courthouses have strict security, so leave prohibited items (knives, large bags) in your car.

Ask the clerk for a case search: Tell them you need to search for a case by your name. They may direct you to a public terminal or search the system for you. Clerks cannot give legal advice, but they can explain procedural requirements.

Request copies: If you find your case, ask for copies of the complaint and any filed motions. Most courthouses charge 25 to 50 cents per page. Get everything. You need the full file to mount a defense.

What to Do After You Find Your Case

Finding your case is step one. Winning it requires action. If your Answer deadline hasn't passed, you're in good shape. If it has, you're playing catch-up, but you still have moves.

File an Answer (Before the Deadline)

Georgia law requires you to file a written Answer within 30 days of being served. Your Answer is a legal document that responds to each allegation in the complaint. You admit what's true, deny what's false, and raise defenses.

If you admit you owe $5,000 but the creditor claims $8,000 plus bogus fees, your Answer says exactly that. If they can't prove you were properly served, raise it as a defense. If the debt is past Georgia's six-year statute of limitations, raise that too.

Filing an Answer forces the creditor to prove their case. Most debt buyers can't. They bought your debt for pennies and have minimal documentation. If you show up and fight, 30% to 40% of debt collection cases get dismissed or settled for less than the original amount.

You can draft an Answer yourself or use a tool like our bankruptcy screener to see if bankruptcy makes more sense for your situation. If you're juggling multiple lawsuits or debts exceed $10,000, bankruptcy might stop all collections immediately.

Negotiate a Settlement

Once you file an Answer, the creditor's attorney will often reach out to settle. They know going to trial costs them money. If you can offer a lump sum (even 40% to 60% of the claimed debt), many will take it.

Get any settlement agreement in writing. Specify that the payment satisfies the debt in full and that the creditor will dismiss the lawsuit. Never send money based on a verbal promise.

Show Up to Court

If your case goes to trial, show up. Bring any evidence you have: payment records, letters, account statements. If the creditor's attorney doesn't show up (it happens), ask the judge to dismiss the case for lack of prosecution.

If the creditor does show up, they must prove you owe the debt. Ask them to produce the original contract, a chain of custody showing they own the debt, and an itemized accounting of charges. Many debt buyers can't produce these documents.

Consider Bankruptcy

If you're facing multiple lawsuits, a judgment has already been entered, or wage garnishment is about to start, bankruptcy might be your best option. Filing bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that immediately stops all collection activity, including lawsuits.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) in three to four months. Chapter 13 lets you repay debts over three to five years while stopping interest and penalties.

Use our free bankruptcy filing service to see if you qualify and get started today. If you're drowning in debt, bankruptcy is not failure. It's a legal right designed to give people a fresh start.

What Happens If You Ignore the Lawsuit?

If you don't file an Answer and don't show up to court, the creditor wins by default. The judge enters a default judgment for the full amount claimed, plus court costs and sometimes attorney fees.

Once they have a judgment, creditors can:

• Garnish your wages: Georgia allows creditors to take up to 25% of your disposable income each paycheck.
• Levy your bank account: They can freeze and withdraw funds directly from your checking or savings account.
• Place a lien on property: In some cases, they can put a lien on real estate you own.

A judgment is valid for seven years in Georgia and can be renewed for another seven. That's 14 years of wage garnishment, bank levies, and credit damage.

Default judgments are also harder to fight. You'll need to file a motion to set aside the judgment and prove you were never properly served or had a valid reason for missing the deadline. Courts grant these motions sparingly.

Common Defenses to Georgia Debt Collection Lawsuits

Just because a creditor files a lawsuit doesn't mean they'll win. You have defenses. Raise them in your Answer and be ready to argue them in court.

Statute of limitations: Georgia's statute of limitations for written contracts is six years. If the debt is older than that and you haven't made a payment or acknowledged the debt in writing, it's time-barred. The creditor can still sue, but you can get the case dismissed if you raise this defense.

Lack of standing: Debt buyers must prove they own your debt. If they can't produce a valid assignment showing the original creditor sold them the debt, they lack standing to sue.

Incorrect amount: If the creditor claims you owe $10,000 but your records show $6,000, challenge the amount. Make them prove every dollar with an itemized breakdown.

Improper service: If you were never properly served with the lawsuit, the court doesn't have jurisdiction over you. Service requirements are strict. A lawsuit taped to your door or left with a random neighbor doesn't count.

Payment or settlement: If you already paid the debt or settled it, produce proof. Canceled checks, settlement letters, and bank statements are all admissible evidence.

How to Avoid Future Debt Collection Lawsuits

Once you resolve your current case, take steps to prevent future lawsuits. Creditors sue because they believe it's their best chance of collecting. Change that calculation.

Communicate with creditors: If you can't pay, call them. Explain your situation. Many creditors will work out a payment plan rather than sue. Get any agreement in writing.

Know your rights: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) limits what debt collectors can do. They cannot harass you, lie about the debt, or threaten illegal action. If they violate the FDCPA, you can sue them.

Track statute of limitations: Old debts eventually become uncollectible. If a debt is nearing the six-year mark, do not make a payment or acknowledge it in writing. Either action resets the clock.

Consider bankruptcy before lawsuits pile up: If you're behind on multiple debts and collectors are threatening legal action, filing bankruptcy stops them all at once. Waiting until you have five judgments makes life harder and more expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PeachCourt available in all Georgia counties?

No. PeachCourt participation is optional, and not all counties have adopted the system yet. Rural counties are less likely to participate. If your county isn't listed, you'll need to search in person at the courthouse.

Can I search for someone else's court case in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia court records are public unless sealed by a judge. You can search for any party's name and view their case docket. Some information (Social Security numbers, financial account details) is redacted.

What if I never received the lawsuit papers?

If you discover a case online but were never served, you may have grounds to challenge the judgment. Georgia requires proper service, usually by personal delivery or certified mail. If the creditor filed a false affidavit of service, the judgment can be vacated.

How long does a judgment stay on my record in Georgia?

Judgments are valid for seven years and can be renewed for an additional seven years. They also appear on your credit report for seven years from the date entered, damaging your credit score and making it harder to rent, borrow, or get hired.

Will filing bankruptcy stop a Georgia lawsuit?

Yes. Filing bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that immediately halts all collection activity, including pending lawsuits. The creditor must stop all contact and cannot proceed with the case unless the bankruptcy court lifts the stay.