In the Interest of J.G., a Child (Mother) - Parental Rights Termination Appeal Dismissed

GA Court of Appeals Opinions

Filed April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

The Court of Appeals of Georgia dismissed appeal A26A1447 filed by a mother challenging the termination of her parental rights to minor child J.G. The court held it lacked jurisdiction because the mother filed a direct appeal instead of the required application for discretionary review under OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(12), (b). The case was dismissed as a procedural matter without reaching the merits of the parental rights termination.

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What changed

The Georgia Court of Appeals dismissed the mother's appeal challenging the termination of her parental rights to minor child J.G. The court held that Georgia law requires parties challenging parental rights termination orders to file an application for discretionary review under OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(12), (b), not a direct appeal. Because the mother failed to follow the correct appellate procedure, the court lacked jurisdiction and dismissed the case.\n\nCompliance teams and legal practitioners should note that parental rights termination appeals in Georgia require a discretionary application, not a direct appeal. Failure to follow this procedural requirement is jurisdictional and will result in dismissal. The underlying merits of the termination order were not addressed. This case applies only to the specific parties and has no precedential value beyond the procedural ruling.

What to do next

Verify appeal procedures for parental rights termination cases in Georgia require discretionary application under OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(12), (b), not direct appeal
Consult local family law counsel to ensure proper procedural filing for parental rights cases
Advise clients that procedural non-compliance with appellate requirements can result in jurisdictional dismissal regardless of case merits

Source document (simplified)

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April 2, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note

In the Interest of J. G., a Child (Mother)

Court of Appeals of Georgia

Citations: None known
Docket Number: A26A1447
Disposition: Dismissed
Opinion
Authorities (2)
Cited By (0)
Summaries (0)
Similar Cases (0)
PDF

Disposition

Dismissed

Combined Opinion

Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________
April 02, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A1447. IN THE INTEREST OF J. G., A CHILD (MOTHER).

In this direct appeal, the mother of minor child J. G. challenges the juvenile
court’s order terminating her parental rights. To obtain appellate review of an order
terminating parental rights, however, a party must file an application for discretionary
review. See OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(12), (b); In the Interest of B. R. F., 299 Ga. 294, 296
(788 SE2d 416) (2016). Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is
jurisdictional. Booker v. Ga. Dept. of Human Res., 317 Ga. App. 426, 427 (731 SE2d
110) (2012). Accordingly, the appellant’s failure to file a discretionary application
deprives us of jurisdiction over this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
04/02/2026
I certify that the above is a true extract from
the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Witness my signature and the seal of said court
hereto affixed the day and year last above written.

, Clerk.