Clerk
of Court:
Linda T. Miller

Harold R. Banke Justice Center
9151 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236-4912
Telephone (770) 477-3443
EVICTIONS
(also known as Dispossessory or PATHO)
Evictions
may be filed in the Magistrate Court Clerk's office of Clayton County
if the property from which the person is to be evicted is located
within Clayton County.
The
person(s) filing the eviction must complete a Dispossessory
Proceeding form (available in the Clerk's office). The Plaintiff(s)
must list the tenant's name(s), address, and the reason for eviction.
In addition, if the Plaintiff(s) is/are making a demand for money,
the exact amounts must be listed.
The
Plaintiff(s) (or their agent or attorney) must sign the form in front of a Deputy Clerk in the
Clerk's office or a notary public. If the form is to be witnessed
by a Deputy Clerk, the Plaintiff(s) must produce a picture identification
card that contains their signature (such as a driver's license).
The
filing fee for a dispossessory is $70.00 for one defendant; plus
$25.00 for each additional defendant should there be any. "Tack
and mail" service is done on dispossessories unless personal service
is requested.
The tenant(s)
(Defendant) will have seven (7) days from the date they are served
by the Sheriff in which to file an answer. Those seven days DO INCLUDE
weekends and holidays. If the 7
th day falls on a weekend
or holiday, the Defendant has until 5:00 pm on the next business day
in which to file their answer. Provided that a timely answer is filed,
the Defendant will be given a court date which normally will occur
within 10 business days. The Plaintiff will be mailed notice of that
same court date.
Court begins PROMPTLY at the time given on the summons, so it is IMPERATIVE
that all parties be on time. The judge will first call the calendar
to make certain that all parties are present. Once the judge has explained
how the court proceedings work, all parties will be given an opportunity
to reach an agreement on their case. Should the parties be unable
to agree, the judge will hear the evidence and make a ruling on the
case. If one or more parties fail to appear, the judge may dismiss
the case or may issue a default judgment and an immediate writ of
possession.
Should the Defendant(s) fail to file a timely answer, the Plaintiff
may request a Writ of Possession by completing an Application for
Dispossessory
Writ of Possession and submitting it with $25.00 for the Sheriff's
service. Once the Writ of Possession is signed by a Magistrate Court
judge, a copy of the writ will be forwarded to the Clayton County
Sheriff's Department. The Plaintiff may contact the Sheriff's Department
((770) 473-5828) to set up an appointment to have the writ served.
The
clerk's office cannot give legal advice concerning evictions nor
can personnel from the judges' office speak with anyone regarding
an eviction case. For specific questions and/or advice, these numbers
may be of some service: