Debra Laney v. Park Glenn Community Association, Inc.

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ December 30, 2025

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A0873. DEBRA LANEY v. PARK GLENN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC.

Debra Laney, the plaintiff in this civil action against the Park Glenn Community Association, Inc. (the “Association”), filed a notice of appeal from the superior court’s order scheduling a hearing on the Association’s motion for attorney’s fees.1 This Court, however, lacks jurisdiction. As a general rule, a direct appeal is permitted only from a judgment or order that is final, which means the case is no longer pending below. See OCGA § 5-6-34(a) (1); Fein v. Chenault, 330 Ga. App. 222, 227 (767 SE2d 766) (2014). Here, the court’s scheduling order was not a final judgment, thus Laney was required to use the interlocutory appeal procedures — including obtaining a certificate of immediate review — to appeal this order. See OCGA § 5-6-34 (b). Her failure to do so deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal.

1 On August 26, 2025, the superior court awarded attorney fees to the Association and Laney filed a discretionary application seeking review of that order, which this Court denied. See Case No. A26D0108 (Oct. 23, 2025). Laney also has filed a separate direct appeal in Case No. A26A0883. Accordingly, this direct appeal is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 12/30/2025 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.