Opinion
A23A1036
03-06-2023
MIRCEA URSU v. ANGELA URSU.
The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:
In February 2022, the trial court entered an amended final judgment and decree of divorce. Mircea Ursu filed a motion for new trial, which the trial court denied. Mircea Ursu then filed this direct appeal. We, however, lack jurisdiction.
"Appeals from judgments or orders in divorce, alimony, and other domestic relations cases" must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary review. OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (2), (b). "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). Because this is a domestic relations case, Mircea Ursu was required to comply with the discretionary appeal procedure to obtain review of the trial court's order denying his motion. His failure to do so deprives us of jurisdiction over this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.