Unpaid for Work or Materials? Fight Back!
Flat-fee help for Georgia contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who haven't been paid — file a lien, send a demand letter, or file a lawsuit, each prepared by a licensed Georgia attorney. Choose the option that fits below.
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Free 90-Day Deadline Tracker
Not ready to file? Track every unpaid job and we'll watch the clock. Georgia gives you 90 days from your last day on the job — if a tracked job gets within 7 days of its deadline, we'll alert you and stand by to file ($1,000 per lien; $1,500 per lien submitted within 2 days of the filing deadline).
Fill in the job details in the form above, then tap "Track My 90-Day Deadline". Your tracked jobs appear here with a live countdown.
Alerts arrive as app notifications on this device — install the app (Add to Home Screen) first on iPhone.
Tracker disclaimer: The deadline tracker is a free convenience tool only — it is not legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney–client relationship or any representation. Deadline estimates assume a standard 90-day filing window from the last-work date you enter; your actual deadline may differ based on your specific facts. Notifications depend on your device, browser, operating system, and network, and may be delayed, blocked, or fail entirely. By using the tracker you agree that The Delashmit Firm LLC and GA Construction Liens have no liability for missed or miscalculated deadlines, failed or delayed alerts, lost tracking data, or any reliance on this tool. You remain solely responsible for knowing and meeting your own filing deadlines.
Unpaid on a Georgia Construction Job? Here's How to Get Paid
Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment lessors do the work, deliver the materials, and then wait — and wait — for a check that doesn't come. Georgia law gives you real tools to force payment, but each one works differently and some have hard deadlines. GA Construction Liens, a service of The Delashmit Firm LLC, prepares all three at a flat, published fee, so you know the cost before you start.
Who this is for
General contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, laborers, equipment lessors, and design professionals (architects, engineers, surveyors) who performed work or furnished materials on a Georgia property and haven't been paid in full. It doesn't matter whether you were hired directly by the property owner or by another contractor further up the chain — Georgia's lien law generally protects both.
The Georgia 90-day lien deadline
If you choose to file a claim of lien, Georgia law requires it to be recorded within 90 days of your last day of labor or the last date materials were delivered to the job. That clock doesn't pause for invoicing disputes, change orders, or a slow-paying general contractor — miss it, and the lien remedy is generally gone for good on that job. That's why the intake form above asks for your last work date up front: it tells you, in real time, how many days you have left and flags anything inside 14 days as urgent. If your window has already closed, you haven't lost your options — a demand letter or a lawsuit can still be used to pursue the debt.
Three ways to collect — which one fits your situation?
File a Lien — $1,000 flat
Fastest leverage. A recorded claim of lien clouds the property's title, so the owner generally can't sell or refinance until the debt is resolved. Must be filed within 90 days of your last work or delivery date. ($1,500 if submitted within 2 days of your deadline.)
Send a Demand Letter — $500 flat
The lowest-cost option. A formal letter on attorney letterhead is often enough to get a slow-paying party to act, without the cost of litigation. No 90-day deadline — a good fit if your lien window has already passed.
File a Lawsuit — $1,750–$5,000 flat
The strongest remedy: a court judgment you can enforce. Claims of $12,000 or less are filed in Magistrate Court ($1,750 flat); claims over $12,000 go to Superior Court ($5,000 flat). Best for larger or contested debts.
Not sure which fits your situation? Submit the form above with your job details — there's no charge just to ask, and our team will point you to the right option before anything is filed.
Have questions about your submission, a filing deadline, or how the process works? See our Support page, or review how we handle your information in our Privacy Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file a lien in Georgia?
No, Georgia law does not require an attorney to file a materialman's lien. But Georgia's lien statute is strict and technical — a missed deadline, a wrong legal description, or an error in the notice can void an otherwise valid claim. Having a licensed Georgia attorney prepare and file it reduces that risk.
How much does it cost?
Filing a claim of lien is a $1,000 flat fee ($1,500 if submitted within 2 days of your filing deadline). A demand letter is $500 flat. Filing a lawsuit to collect is $1,750 flat in Magistrate Court (claims of $12,000 or less) or $5,000 flat in Superior Court (over $12,000). Court filing fees and service costs, if any, are separate.
What if I miss the 90-day deadline?
In Georgia, a claim of lien generally must be recorded within 90 days of your last day of work or material delivery. If that window has closed, you can still send a formal demand letter or file a lawsuit to collect what you're owed — those options have no 90-day filing deadline.
What's the difference between a lien, a demand letter, and a lawsuit?
A lien is a claim recorded against the property that clouds the title, so the owner generally can't sell or refinance until you're paid — but it must be filed within 90 days. A demand letter is a formal, lower-cost letter on attorney letterhead asking the responsible party to pay, with no filing deadline. A lawsuit is the strongest remedy — a court judgment you can enforce — and is best for larger or contested debts.
Which county courthouse handles this?
A claim of lien is recorded with the clerk of superior court in the county where the property is located. A collection lawsuit is filed in Magistrate Court (claims of $12,000 or less) or Superior/State Court (over $12,000), also in the county tied to the property or the responsible party.
Is my information confidential?
Yes. Your submission is reviewed by a licensed Georgia attorney and is not sold or shared with third parties for marketing. See our Privacy Policy for details on what we collect and how it's used.