Jennifer Matas v. Alexander Joseph Elder

• Court: Court of Appeals of Georgia
• Decided: July 7, 2025
• Docket: A25A1952
• Status: Published

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ July 07, 2025

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A25A1952. JENNIFER MATAS v. ALEXANDER JOSEPH ELDER.

In November 2024, the trial court entered a final judgment and decree of divorce dissolving the marriage of Alexander Joseph Elder and Jennifer Matas. Matas filed a motion to set aside the judgment pursuant to OCGA § 9-11-60 (d) and a motion for a new trial, both of which the trial court denied. Matas then filed this direct appeal. We lack jurisdiction. First, 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). Second, the denial of a motion to set aside a final judgment under OCGA § 9-11-60 (d) also must be made by application for discretionary appeal. See OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (8); Jim Ellis Atlanta, Inc. v. Adamson, 283 Ga. App. 116, 116 (640 SE2d 688) (2006). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Smoak v. Dept. of Human Resources, 221 Ga. App. 257, 257 (471 SE2d 60) (1996). Because Matas 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,____________________ 07/07/2025 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.