Georgia Statute of Limitations on Debt
Georgia separates its limitation periods by contract type. Written debts — including credit cards, medical bills, and auto loans — carry a six-year SOL. Oral contracts have a shorter four-year window.
| Debt Type | Statute of Limitations | |---|---| | Credit card debt (open account) | 6 years | | Medical debt | 6 years | | Auto loans (written contract) | 6 years | | Personal loans (written contract) | 6 years | | Oral contracts | 4 years | | Promissory notes | 6 years |
The clock starts from the date of default. Once expired, a creditor who sues on that debt is time-barred. In Georgia, raise the SOL as a defense; failure to raise it means you may waive it.
Important: Georgia courts have found that partial payment or an unconditional acknowledgment of a debt can restart the SOL. Never pay toward an old account without verifying the impact first.
Georgia-Specific Consumer Protections
Georgia Fair Business Practices Act (FBPA, O.C.G.A. § 10-1-390 et seq.) Georgia's FBPA prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in commerce. While not as expansive as some state laws, it gives the Georgia Attorney General authority to investigate and pursue injunctive relief against bad actors, including abusive debt collectors.
Georgia Industrial Loan Act and Licensing Requirements Debt collectors operating in Georgia may need to be licensed under state financial services laws. The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance oversees some categories of collectors. If a collector is unlicensed when license is required, that affects their legal standing.
Wage Garnishment Rules Georgia follows the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act limits on garnishment: the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30 times the federal minimum wage. Georgia does not provide enhanced protections beyond the federal floor, so garnishment is a real risk after a judgment.
How to File a Complaint in Georgia
Georgia Department of Law — Consumer Protection Division
- Website: consumer.georgia.gov
- Phone: 404-651-8600 (Atlanta) or 1-800-869-1123
- Online complaint form available at consumer.georgia.gov
Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
- Website: dbf.georgia.gov
- Phone: (770) 986-1633
- For complaints about licensed financial entities
Federal Rights That Apply Regardless of State
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Dispute errors on your credit report; bureaus must respond within 30 days.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Covers third-party debt collectors.
- Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA): Billing error dispute rights.
File at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
Your First Action Step
Georgia's six-year SOL means some debts from 2019 or earlier may now be time-barred. Pull your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com and check the original delinquency date on every collection account. If any date is incorrect, dispute it in writing to the bureau. If you're being sued on a debt that's over six years old from default, file a response raising the SOL defense — and consider consulting a Georgia consumer attorney.