---
title: O.C.G.A. § 18-5-1. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 18-5-1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 18-5-1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/18-5-1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/18-5-1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/18-5-1/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t18-t19-(v16)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b0848ebd_0#page=281
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/18-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/18-4-90.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: DEBTOR AND CREDITOR / DEBT ADJUSTMENT
---

# O.C.G.A. § 18-5-1. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “Debt adjusting” means doing business in debt adjustments, budget counseling, debt management, or debt pooling service or holding oneself out, by words of similar import, as providing services to debtors in the management of their debts and contracting with a debtor for a fee to:

(A) Effect the adjustment, compromise, or discharge of any account, note, or other indebtedness of the debtor; or

(B) Receive from the debtor and disburse to his or her creditors any money or other thing of value.

(2) “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other legal entity.

(3) “Resides” means to live in a particular place, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.

## History

Ga. L. 1956, p. 797, § 1; Ga. L. 2003, p. 392, § 1; Ga. L. 2015, p. 1088, § 18/SB 148.

## Cross References

Operation of credit repair services organization, § 16-9-59.