Georgia Judgment Collection Costs: What Filing Fees Can You Add to the Debt?

Plan for Upfront Enforcement Costs

One of the most common fears for judgment creditors in Georgia: the filing fees, service charges, and recording costs will eat into the judgment to the point where enforcement is not worth it. These expenses are part of the collection calculation. Do not assume every out-of-pocket charge automatically becomes part of the amount collectible on the Writ of Fieri Facias; track each expense and confirm which costs the law allows you to add.

Common Costs to Track

The Writ of Fi. Fa. records the execution amount. Common expenses during collection include:

Court filing fees — The Fi. Fa. issuance fee is $4. Garnishment docketing fees are listed at $51 to $60 in the cited local schedules, while county-specific fees can differ. Post-judgment interrogatories cost $10 when filed in the issuing Magistrate Court.

Service fees — Sheriff, marshal, and constable charges for serving garnishment summonses, orders to show cause, and levy instructions. The cited law-enforcement service fees range from $13 to $50 per party.

GED recording fees — The $25 fee to record the Fi. Fa. on the General Execution Docket at the Superior Court clerk's office. Each county recording requires a separate fee.

Levy execution deposits — When you direct the sheriff to seize personal property, you advance a deposit covering operational costs such as towing, storage, moving, security, and newspaper advertising for the auction. Advanced levy costs are recoverable from sale proceeds.

Post-judgment interest — This is not a fee you pay, but it accrues automatically. Under O.C.G.A. § 7-4-12, the statutory rate is the Federal Reserve prime rate on the judgment-entry date plus 3 percentage points, fixed on that date. A written contract may specify a different rate. Interest is simple, calculated on the principal judgment amount, and runs from entry of judgment.

Costs That Need Separate Authority

Do not assume attorney fees you incur during collection can be added to the judgment. A contract, statute, or court order may be needed to authorize them.

The same caution applies to expenses outside the formal court process, such as skip tracing, private investigators, or credit monitoring: do not include them in the Fi. Fa. balance without separate authority.

How the Math Works

Say your original judgment is $3,500. Over the course of enforcement, you pay these documented fees:

The $128 is the amount spent in this example; do not add it to the Fi. Fa. balance unless each charge is legally collectible. Calculate interest separately using the rate fixed on the judgment-entry date.

Keep a Running Ledger

Every fee receipt matters. When you file a garnishment or pay for service, keep the receipt and record the amount on a balance ledger showing the original judgment, each cost incurred, the date, and the running total with interest. This documentation helps explain each amount you seek to collect.

Georgia courts do not provide a standard ledger form. The Georgia judgment collection guide includes a balance-and-interest ledger worksheet built specifically for tracking post-judgment costs and interest accrual across multiple enforcement actions.

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