Merle Long v. Leisa Long

• Court: Court of Appeals of Georgia
• Decided: June 22, 2026
• Docket: A26A2235
• Status: Published

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ June 22, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A2235. MERLE LONG v. LEISA LONG.

Merle Long filed a contempt action against his ex-wife, raising multiple instances in which she was allegedly in contempt of the parties’ divorce decree. The trial court found the ex-wife in contempt with regard to one of Long’s claims, but otherwise found she was not in contempt. Long then filed this direct appeal. We, however, lack jurisdiction. Appeals from judgments or orders in domestic relations cases, including orders “holding or declining to hold persons in contempt,” must be made by application for discretionary appeal. See OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(2), (b); see also Russo v. Manning, 252 Ga. 155, 156 (312 SE2d 319) (1984) (“A judgment of contempt regarding a domestic relations decree is appealable only by application for discretionary appeal.”). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Hair Restoration Specialists v. State of Ga., 360 Ga. App. 901, 903 (862 SE2d 564) (2021). Thus, Long’s failure to follow the discretionary appeals procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 06/22/2026 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