How many months does one have to file an ante litem notice against county or municipal government claims in Georgia?

In Georgia, a claimant must file an ante litem notice within six months after the claim arises against a county or municipal government. This notice is a prerequisite to initiating any legal action against these governmental entities for tort claims. It serves to inform the government of the claim and provides them an opportunity to address or settle the claim before formal litigation ensues.

The six-month time frame is specifically set by Georgia law to encourage prompt resolution of claims and to allow government entities to investigate potential liability while evidence is still relatively fresh. If a claimant fails to file this notice within the six-month period, they generally forfeit their right to pursue the claim in court.

In contrast, the other time frames presented do not align with the statutory requirements. There are various other filing deadlines in different legal contexts within Georgia, but for ante litem notices specifically related to county or municipal claims, it is the six-month period that applies. Understanding this timeline is crucial for anyone looking to bring a claim against local government entities in Georgia.