Ordinarily, when one renders service or transfers property which is valuable to another, which the latter accepts, a promise is implied to pay the reasonable value thereof. However, this presumption does not usually arise in cases between very near relatives.
§ 9-2-7.Implied promise to pay for services or property
Chapter 2. Actions Generally · Article 1. General Provisions · Last amended 1933 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceO.C.G.A. § 9-2-7 recognizes that when someone provides valuable services or property to another person who accepts them, the law implies a promise by the recipient to pay the reasonable value of what was received, though Georgia courts do not typically presume such a promise between close relatives.
Full Text of § 9-2-7
Plain-English Summary
Not every obligation to pay comes from a signed contract. This section codifies a rule of fairness: when one person renders a service or hands over property that has value, and another person accepts it, the law fills the gap and implies a promise to pay what it’s reasonably worth.
Think of a contractor who finishes work beyond the scope of a written contract with the homeowner’s knowledge and acceptance, or a supplier who delivers goods a buyer keeps and uses without ever signing a purchase order. Neither situation requires an express agreement to pay — acceptance of the benefit does the work an express promise would otherwise do.
The section carves out one exception worth noting: this presumption does not usually arise between close relatives. Family members who help each other out — a parent housing an adult child, or siblings pitching in on a project — aren’t automatically on the hook for the reasonable value of that help, because courts recognize that families often act out of generosity rather than expectation of payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I do work for someone without a written contract, can I still get paid?
Often, yes. The section implies a promise to pay the reasonable value of services or property when the other person accepts something valuable that you provided.
Does this rule apply to transferring property as well as performing services?
Yes. The text covers both — rendering a service and transferring property — as long as what was provided was valuable and the other party accepted it.
Why doesn’t this presumption usually apply between family members?
The section states that the presumption does not usually arise between close relatives, reflecting the idea that help among family is often given without an expectation of payment.
What has to happen for the implied promise to arise?
Someone has to render a service or transfer property that is valuable to another, and the other person has to accept it — acceptance of the benefit is what triggers the implied promise to pay.
How much does the recipient have to pay under this section?
The reasonable value of what was rendered or transferred — the section does not tie payment to a set price, only to what the service or property was reasonably worth.
Amendment History
Civil Code 1895, § 4936; Civil Code 1910, § 5513; Code 1933, § 3-107.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, published by the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Georgia Code Revision Commission / LexisNexis. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: Georgia implied promise to pay statutequantum meruit Georgia codeimplied contract for services Georgia lawreasonable value of services Georgia statuteGeorgia law promise implied by acceptance of benefit