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In the Interest of N. J., a Child

CourtCourt of Appeals of Georgia
Docket No.A15A2120
DecidedJanuary 13, 2016
Reporter335 Ga. App. 477; 781 S.E.2d 585
JudgesChief Judge Sara L. Doyle, Presiding Judge John J. Phipps, and Judge Amanda H. Mercier; Doyle authored
Tags
CivilFamily LawParental RightsChild CustodyStatutory InterpretationAppellate ProcedureReversal
Case Summary

The child’s mother appealed an order granting permanent guardianship to the child’s paternal grandmother. She challenged the petition’s statutory compliance, the sufficiency of the evidence, and the absence of a visitation schedule. Because the mother had not consented to the guardianship, the statute required the petition to identify specified relatives or explain any omissions; it did neither. The court held that this information was necessary for the juvenile court to determine whether the grandmother was the most appropriate guardian. It reversed the guardianship order and did not reach the mother’s remaining arguments.

Opinion

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