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In The Interest Of A. M. Et Al., Children

CourtCourt of Appeals of Georgia
Docket No.A19A0240
DecidedJune 4, 2019
Reporter326 Ga. App. 56
JudgesCourt of Appeals of Georgia
Tags
CivilFamily LawChild CustodyDue ProcessStatutory InterpretationCivil ProcedureRemand
Case Summary

The Georgia Department of Human Services challenged a juvenile court’s reunification order in a dependency case involving children who had suffered abuse and medical or developmental needs. After the children returned to their mother, the juvenile court ordered the Department to provide broadly defined therapy, financial support for braces and dental care, and whatever services the mother wanted or needed until completion to her counsel’s satisfaction. The Court of Appeals vacated and remanded. It held that the order exceeded the statutory purpose of continuing reunification services and was impermissibly vague. The Juvenile Code authorized services directed toward reunification, but did not authorize an open-ended command requiring the Department to fund or perform every requested service without defined limits. Because the order’s breadth and lack of finality prevented lawful administration and review, the court required reconsideration under the statute. The remaining assignment of error became moot after the order was vacated.

Opinion

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In The Interest Of A. M. Et Al., Children — The Atlanta Gleaner