How long do I have to respond to a complaint in Georgia?

Generally 30 days after service of the summons and complaint, under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(a)(1).

Georgia / Pleadings

Georgia answer to complaint deadline

Quick answer

In Georgia, you generally must respond to a complaint within 30 days after service of the summons and complaint (O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(a)(1)).

O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(a)(1)

AI-assisted — Georgia rules pending attorney verification; confirm against the cited rule.

AI-assisted — verify independently. Georgia deadline rules here are AI-generated and pending attorney review. Confirm against the cited rule and your local court before relying on this.

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Estimates based on standard Georgia rules and court-holiday closures; not legal advice. Confirm against your specific case, local administrative orders, and the current rules.

How the deadline works

Under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(a)(1), the answer is due within 30 days after service of the summons and complaint. This is the ordinary clock. Since SB 68 (2025 Ga. Laws Act 9, eff. April 21, 2025), a defendant who files a Rule 12 motion instead answers within 15 days after notice of the ruling — see the separate calculator for that period. A deadline landing on a weekend or court holiday moves to the next business day.

Questions

How long do I have to respond to a complaint in Georgia?: Generally 30 days after service of the summons and complaint, under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12(a)(1).

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