ARTICLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

18-3-9. Application for issuance of writ of attachment prior to judgment; contents of application; procedure.

When the plaintiff contends one or more of the grounds set forth in Code Section 18-3-1 exist, prior to obtaining judgment against the defendant, the plaintiff may make application to a judge of any court of record, other than the probate court, in the county of the residence of the defendant, if known, and, if not known, in the county wherein the property sought to be attached is located, for an order authorizing issuance of a writ of attachment. The application shall be made in writing, under oath, and shall set forth the specific facts that show the existence of one or more of such grounds, the basis and nature of the claim, and the amount of indebtedness claimed therein by the plaintiff.

Upon presentation of plaintiff's sworn application for a writ of attachment, it shall be the duty of the judge to inquire into the facts alleged, going beyond mere conclusions of fact alleged by the plaintiff and clearly setting forth the facts entitling the creditor to a writ of attachment as set forth in Code Section 18-3-1. Upon consideration of the inquiry, the judge shall have the discretion to grant or deny the issuance of a writ of attachment. Any order by a judge granting the issuance of a writ of attachment shall be subject to approval of a bond by the clerk of the court, pursuant to Code Section 18-3-10, prior to filing of the writ of attachment.

(Ga. L. 1855-56, p. 25, § 2; Code 1863, § 3189; Code 1868, § 3200; Code 1873, § 3265; Code 1882, § 3265; Ga. L. 1893, p. 117, § 1; Civil Code 1895, § 4511; Civil Code 1910, § 5056; Code 1933, § 8-109; Ga. L. 1968, p. 1013, § 1; Ga. L. 1980, p. 1065, § 1.)

JUDICIAL DECISIONS

No basis for writ of attachment.

- Absent allegations of property in Georgia, there was no basis for the issuance of a writ of attachment since the defendants resided outside of Georgia. Ralls Corp. v. Huerfano River Wind, LLC, 27 F. Supp. 3d 1303 (N.D. Ga. 2014).

Cited in Kahn v. Herman, 3 Ga. 266 (1847); Deupree v. Eisenach, 9 Ga. 598 (1851); Dobbs v. Justices of Inferior Court, 17 Ga. 624 (1855); Holston Mfg. Co. v. Lea, 18 Ga. 647 (1855); Henderson v. Pittman, 20 Ga. 735, 65 Am. Dec. 649 (1856); B.W. & J.P. Force & Co. v. Hubbard, 26 Ga. 289 (1858); Harrill v. Humphries, 26 Ga. 514 (1858); Brown & Sanford v. McCluskey, 26 Ga. 577 (1858); Cohen v. Manco, 28 Ga. 27 (1859); Stowers v. Carter, 28 Ga. 351 (1859); Brewer v. Ainsworth, 32 Ga. 487 (1861); Kennon & Klink v. Evans, Gardner & Co., 36 Ga. 89 (1867); Cox v. Felder, 36 Ga. 597 (1867); Irvin v. Howard, 37 Ga. 18 (1867); Wilkowski v. Halle, 37 Ga. 678, 95 Am. Dec. 374 (1868); Mississippi Cent. R.R. Co. v. Plant, 58 Ga. 167 (1877); Guckenheimer & Son v. Day & Higgs, 74 Ga. 1 (1884); Krutina v. Culpepper, 75 Ga. 602 (1885); DeLeon v. Heller, Hirsch & Co., 77 Ga. 740 (1886); Jones v. Wylie, 82 Ga. 745, 9 S.E. 614 (1889); Heard v. National Bank, 114 Ga. 291, 40 S.E. 266 (1901); Levin v. American Furn. Co., 133 Ga. 670, 66 S.E. 888 (1909); Silverman & Son v. Sloat & Bro., 11 Ga. App. 193, 74 S.E. 938 (1912); Hensley v. Minehan, 29 Ga. App. 251, 114 S.E. 647 (1922); Bennett v. Wheatley, 154 Ga. 591, 115 S.E. 83 (1922); Friedman v. First Nat'l Bank, 31 Ga. App. 742, 122 S.E. 81 (1924); West v. Gainesville Nat'l Bank, 32 Ga. App. 703, 124 S.E. 733 (1924); Brach & Sons v. Oglesby Grocery Co., 33 Ga. App. 481, 127 S.E. 157 (1925); Dulion v. S.A. Lynch Enter. Fin. Corp., 53 F.2d 568 (5th Cir. 1931); Harmon v. Wiggins, 48 Ga. App. 469, 172 S.E. 847 (1934); Stalvey v. Varn Motors & Fin. Co., 56 Ga. App. 696, 193 S.E. 627 (1937); Stone v. Atlantic Eng'r & Contracting Co., 95 Ga. App. 312, 97 S.E.2d 709 (1957); Benefield v. Radiator Specialty Co., 116 Ga. App. 588, 158 S.E.2d 423 (1967); Kazakos v. Soteres, 120 Ga. App. 258, 170 S.E.2d 50 (1969); Jenkins v. Community Loan & Inv. Corp., 120 Ga. App. 543, 171 S.E.2d 654 (1969); Reeves v. Motor Contract Co., 324 F. Supp. 1011 (N.D. Ga. 1971); Doran v. Home Mart Bldg. Centers, Inc., 233 Ga. 705, 213 S.E.2d 825 (1975); Johnson v. American Credit Co., 581 F.2d 526 (5th Cir. 1978).

OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Magistrate courts' power to order prejudgment attachment.

- Because magistrate courts are not "courts of record" those courts may not order prejudgment attachment or garnishment. 1984 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U84-28.

RESEARCH REFERENCES

ALR.

- Affidavits stating grounds of attachment on information and belief, 86 A.L.R. 588.

Syfert Injury Law Firm

2018 Georgia Code 18-3-9 | Car Wreck Lawyer

TITLE 18 DEBTOR AND CREDITOR

Section 3. Attachment Proceedings, 18-3-1 through 18-3-75.