Keith Lafavor v. Rakeshia Lafavor

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ September 11, 2023

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A24A0224. KEITH LAFAVOR v. RAKESHIA LAFAVOR.

Rakeshia LaFavor obtained a family violence protective order against her exhusband , Keith LaFavor, who then filed this direct appeal. However, appeals of orders in domestic relations cases — including actions arising under the Family Violence Act, OCGA § 19-13-1 et seq. — must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary appeal. See OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (2); Schmidt v. Schmidt, 270 Ga. 461, 461-462 (1) (510 SE2d 810) (1999), disapproved on other grounds by Gilliam v. State, 312 Ga. 60, 64 (860 SE2d 543) (2021). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Smoak v. Dept. of Human Resources, 221 Ga. App. 257, 257 (471 SE2d 60) (1996). The appellant’s failure to follow the required appellate procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 09/11/2023

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.