---
title: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-72. Issuance of summons; service on defendant; time for hearing.
collection: code
id: 44-7-72
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-72 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-72
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-72.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-72/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t44-ch1-7-(v31)-2010-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=35dd922f_0#page=888
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/44-7.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-71.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-73.md
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: PROPERTY / LANDLORD AND TENANT / DISTRESS WARRANTS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 44-7-72. Issuance of summons; service on defendant; time for hearing.

When the affidavit provided for in Code Section 44-7-71 is made, the judge of the superior court, the state court, the civil court, or the magistrate court before whom it was made shall grant and issue a summons to the marshal or the sheriff or his deputy of the county where the tenant resides or where his property may be found. A copy of the summons and the affidavit shall be personally served upon the defendant. If an officer is unable to serve the defendant personally, service may be given by delivering the summons and affidavit to any person who is sui juris residing on the premises. The summons served on the defendant pursuant to this Code section shall command and require the tenant to appear at a hearing on a day certain not less than five nor more than seven days from the date of actual service.

## History

Code 1933, § 61-403, enacted by Ga. L. 1975, p. 1514, § 2; Ga. L. 1982, p. 1134, § 3; Ga. L. 1983, p. 884, § 3-30.