How long does an eviction take?
- The stages that are fixed
- The court's calendar
- Filing accuracy — you control this
- Service — you control this
- Writ scheduling — you control this
- So what's the honest answer?
The stages that are fixed
The notice period before you can file, and the tenant's response period after service, are set by statute in your state. Nobody shortens them. In Georgia the answer period is seven days from service.
The court's calendar
If the tenant answers, you wait for a hearing date. High-volume counties have longer calendars. Completely outside anyone's control.
Filing accuracy — you control this
A filing that comes back for correction restarts your clock. Wrong court, wrong owner name, a ledger that doesn't reconcile, an undocumented notice. This is the most avoidable delay there is.
Service — you control this
The clock doesn't start until the tenant is served. One attempt during business hours with no escalation plan is how a case sits for weeks.
Writ scheduling — you control this
After judgment somebody has to apply for the writ, and when an execution slot opens somebody has to have a crew, an officer and a locksmith ready. Miss it and you go back in the queue. This is where the most recoverable time sits.
So what's the honest answer?
An uncontested case where the paperwork is right and service goes cleanly moves at the speed of your court. A contested case, or one with a service problem or a late writ application, can take several times as long. Anyone quoting you a guaranteed number of days without knowing your county is guessing.
The short version
- Two stages are statutory and fixed — the notice period and the response period
- One is the court's — the hearing calendar
- Three are yours — filing accuracy, service, and writ scheduling
- Nobody can guarantee a completion date, including us
Tell us where the property is
We handle cases directly in Georgia and can point you in the right direction elsewhere.
Need help with a real case?
Tell us where the property is and where the case stands.
Landlord eviction checklist
The pre-filing checks that prevent most rejections. One page, free.
Common questions
Can I evict a tenant without going to court?
No. Every state requires a court process. Locking a tenant out, shutting off utilities or removing belongings without a court order is illegal self-help and exposes you to damages that often exceed the rent you were owed.
How long does an eviction take?
It depends on your state, your court's calendar and whether the tenant contests. Some stages are fixed by statute and some are logistics you control. Anyone giving you a guaranteed number of days without knowing your county is guessing.
Do I need a lawyer to evict a tenant?
Not always. Uncontested non-payment cases are routine. If the case is contested, involves a counterclaim, or raises habitability or discrimination issues, get a licensed attorney in your state.
What's the difference between a judgment and a writ?
A judgment says you won. A writ of possession is the separate court order that lets law enforcement actually put you back in the property. You have to apply for it — it isn't automatic.
Stop reading, start moving
If the property is in Georgia we can handle it end to end. If it isn't, we'll point you the right way.