Small Claims Court in Richmond County

In Richmond County, GA small claims cases are typically filed in the Magistrate Court. Richmond County has one Magistrate Courthouse that handles small claims, serving different jurisdictions.

Squabble is here to assist you in navigating the small claims court system and filing a claim with ease. We recognize that not everyone is a legal expert, and our goal is to simplify the process for you. This guide will answer your questions about filing claims in the Richmond Court System.

Small Claims Court

If you're dealing with a legal problem involving money or property worth less than $15,000, the Magistrate Court of Richmond County—commonly known as Small Claims Court—is a great place to start. It's designed to be accessible and affordable for everyday people, even if you don’t have a lawyer.

What Types of Cases Can You File?

Small Claims Court is perfect for resolving straightforward legal issues. Common examples include:

• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Personal injury or minor accident claims
• Lost, stolen, or damaged property
• Unpaid loans or personal debts
• Disputes over home repairs or car work
• Faulty services or defective products
• Broken written or verbal contracts

If your issue falls into one of these categories and the total value is under $15,000, you’re likely in the right place.

How to Start: Filing a Statement of Claim

To begin, you’ll need to file a Statement of Claim—a short, sworn document explaining:

• Who you’re suing
• Why you’re suing them
• How much money you’re asking for

You can file online or go to the courthouse in person. If filing in person, your statement must be notarized or sworn before the court clerk.

Your claim should include:

• Your full name, address, and phone number
• The full legal name and address of the person or business you're suing
• The dollar amount you're seeking
• A brief summary of the situation, including important dates
• Copies of documents like receipts, contracts, invoices, or photos (keep the originals for yourself)

The Clerk’s Office can help you file your paperwork but cannot offer legal advice.

Where to File Your Case

Filing in the correct county is crucial:

• Suing an individual: File in the county where that person lives
• Suing a corporation: File in the county where the company’s registered agent is located (you can find this via the Georgia Secretary of State’s website)
• Suing an unincorporated business:? File where the business operates physically

Filing Fees and Service Costs

Expect the following fees:

• Filing Fee: $60 for the first defendant, plus $8 for each additional defendant
• Service Fee: $50 per defendant if served by the Marshal, or you may use a private process server

Important: If you're using the Marshal for service, make sure the defendant lives in Richmond County. If they don’t, the Marshal's Office will not refund your service fee.

What Happens After Filing

After you file your case:

• The court will serve the defendant a copy of your claim
• The defendant has 30 days to file an Answer
• If they miss the deadline, they have an additional 15 days to respond, but they must pay a court fee
• The defendant can also file a Counterclaim if it relates to your claim and is under $15,000
• If the defendant fails to respond within 45 days total, you can ask the court for a Default Judgment. In some cases, the judge may still require a short hearing to determine how much is owed.

What to Expect at the Hearing

If the defendant responds, the court will schedule a hearing. You’ll both receive notice of the date and time.

At the hearing:

• Both sides will have a chance to present their story
• You should bring all supporting documents: contracts, receipts, photos, written communication, etc.
• Witnesses are allowed, but they must appear in person—written statements usually aren’t accepted
• If you need someone to appear, you can request a subpoena through the Clerk’s Office (fees apply)

Mediation May Be Offered

Before the hearing, the court may offer free mediation. This allows both parties to try settling the matter with the help of a trained, neutral third party. If an agreement is reached, you may not need to go before the judge. If not, the hearing will proceed as scheduled.

How the Judge Decides

There are two main types of damages the judge may review:

• Liquidated Damages – These are fixed amounts, like unpaid invoices or loans. The judge might make a decision based solely on your paperwork.
• Unliquidated Damages – These include estimates like pain and suffering or the value of poor workmanship. A hearing is typically required for these cases.

If You Win: Enforcing the Judgment

Winning in court doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive payment. But once the court issues a judgment in your favor, you can take legal steps to collect the money:

• Garnish the defendant’s wages
• Garnish a bank account
• File a lien on the defendant’s property
• Seize and sell property through a Writ of Fi. Fa., with the court’s permission

Will This Affect the Defendant’s Credit?

• The court does not report judgments to credit bureaus
• However, judgments are public records, so credit agencies can find and report them on their own
• A judgment can appear on a credit report for up to 7 years
• The judgment itself remains in public court records permanently
• If you need proof of your judgment, you can request certified court records for a small fee.

Courthouse Locations:

Richmond County Magistrate Court

735 James Brown Blvd.
Suite 1400
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 821-2370
https://www.augustaga.gov/67/Civil-Magistrate-Court

BUILDING HOURS

• Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except court holidays.

CITIES SERVED

• Hephzibah
• Blythe

Let Squabble Help You With Your Small Claim at Richmond County

Don't allow the intricacies of the legal system to discourage you from pursuing justice and compensation for your claim. With Squabble, you have a dedicated partner to streamline the process and guide you toward resolution. Whether you're contemplating filing a claim at Richmond County small claims court, Squabble is here to support you at every stage. Reach out to us today to commence your journey toward justice and compensation. Get started today and become one of the 95% of our customers who won or settled their case.