Ga. Code § 44-9-43
Upon the filing of the petition for condemnation, the judge of the superior court, after taking into consideration the requirements of service provided for in Code Section 44-9-41, shall make and enter up an order requiring the owner or owners of the property to show cause before him on a day certain as to why the easement for private way should not be condemned and requiring the said owner or owners to name an assessor to act on his or their behalf. On the return day, the judge shall fix the time and place for a hearing before the board of assessors; but the same may be changed by the board of assessors in accordance with Code Section 22-2-60. In all other respects, the hearing before the board of assessors, together with the assessment of damages by them, shall be as is provided for in Part 4 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 22.
OCGA § 44-9-43