The City of Atlanta filed a declaratory-judgment action seeking guidance about proposed annexations and the effect of legislation involving property in the Fulton County Industrial District. The trial court ruled on the City’s claims and related motions, and both the City and Atlanta Independent School System sought appellate review. The Supreme Court of Georgia held that the action was not ripe for a declaration because the City asked the courts to decide the legal consequences of proposed legislative action before an actual controversy existed. A declaratory judgment cannot be used to obtain an advisory opinion, even when the parties present substantial constitutional or statutory questions. The Court rejected the City’s attempt to rely on later developments to cure the lack of ripeness at the time of the trial court’s order. It vacated the trial court’s decision and remanded with direction in the City’s appeal. The school system’s cross-appeal, which challenged the same judgment, was dismissed as moot.