Opinion
A25A0210
09-09-2024
MARYANN J. JOHNSON v. DESMOND D. JOHNSON.
The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:
MaryAnn Johnson and Desmond Johnson divorced in 2023. In 2024, the trial court issued an order finding MaryAnn in contempt of the divorce decree. MaryAnn then filed this direct appeal. We, however, lack jurisdiction.
Appeals from orders in divorce and other domestic relations cases, including orders holding persons in contempt, must be pursued by discretionary application. See OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (2); see also Norman v. Ault, 287 Ga. 324, 330-331 (6) (695 S.E.2d 633) (2010). "Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional." Smoak v. Dept. of Human Resources, 221 Ga.App. 257, 257 (471 S.E.2d 60) (1996). MaryAnn's failure to follow the discretionary appeals procedure thus deprives us of jurisdiction over this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.