Geimah v Geimah - Divorce Case Dismissed

GA Court of Appeals Opinions

Filed March 5th, 2026

Detected March 5th, 2026

Summary

The Georgia Court of Appeals dismissed the direct appeal in Reuben Geimah v. Emily Geimah due to the appellant's failure to follow the required discretionary appeal procedure for domestic relations cases. The court cited OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(2), (b) as the basis for dismissal.

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What changed

The Georgia Court of Appeals has dismissed the direct appeal filed by Reuben Geimah in the case of Reuben Geimah v. Emily Geimah. The dismissal is based on the appellant's failure to adhere to the mandatory procedure for discretionary appeals in domestic relations cases, as outlined in OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(2), (b). Compliance with this procedure is deemed jurisdictional by the court.

This ruling means the direct appeal cannot be considered on its merits. Parties involved in domestic relations cases in Georgia must ensure they follow the correct application process for discretionary appeals. Failure to do so will result in the dismissal of the appeal, as demonstrated in this case, with no specific penalties mentioned beyond the loss of the appellate review.

What to do next

Ensure all appeals in domestic relations cases in Georgia follow the discretionary appeal procedure as per OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(2), (b).

Source document (simplified)

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March 5, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note

Reuben Geimah v. Emily Geimah

Court of Appeals of Georgia

Citations: None known
Docket Number: A26A1398
Disposition: Dismissed
Opinion
Authorities (1)
Cited By (0)
Summaries (0)
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Disposition

Dismissed

Combined Opinion

Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________
March 05, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A1398. REUBEN GEIMAH v. EMILY GEIMAH.

Reuben Geimah filed this direct appeal from the trial court’s final judgment and
decree of divorce between him and Emily Geimah. However, appeals from
“judgments or orders in divorce, alimony, and other domestic relations cases” must
be made by application for discretionary appeal. See OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(2), (b).
Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional. Smoak v. Dep’t
of Human Res., 221 Ga. App. 257, 257 (471 SE2d 60) (1996). Because the appellant
here failed to follow the requisite discretionary application procedure, we lack
jurisdiction to consider this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
03/05/2026
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.