Mistee Dawn Rowland v. Elizabeth A. Braun

• Court: Court of Appeals of Georgia
• Decided: January 22, 2026
• Docket: A26A1119
• Status: Published

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ January 22, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A1119. MISTEE DAWN ROWLAND v. ELIZABETH A. BRAUN.

In September 2025, the trial court entered a final judgment and decree of divorce dissolving the marriage of Mistee Dawn Rowland and Elizabeth A. Braun. Rowland then filed a notice of appeal. Braun has filed a motion to dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. We agree that we lack jurisdiction. 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). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Smoak v. Dep’t of Human Res., 221 Ga. App. 257, 257 (471 SE2d 60) (1996). Here, Rowland failed to file an application for discretionary appeal, and thus, we do not have jurisdiction over this direct appeal. Accordingly, Braun’s motion to dismiss is GRANTED, and this appeal is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 01/22/2026 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.