Georgia Code — 19
Browse 485 sections in division 19 of the Georgia code. Each section page includes the full statutory text, official source links, and citation guidance.
Sections (showing up to 300)
- § 19-1-1. Injunctions and restraining orders authorized in domestic relations actions.
- § 19-2-1. Place of domicile; how domicile changed, generally.
- § 19-2-2. Election between two or more domiciles; domicile of transients.
- § 19-2-3. Domicile of married person.
- § 19-2-4. Domicile of minor.
- § 19-2-5. Domicile of person under guardianship.
- § 19-2-6. Change of domicile which is dependent on that of another; change of ward's domicile affecting inheritance.
- § 19-3-1. Prerequisites to valid marriage.
- § 19-3-1. 1. Common-law marriage; effectiveness.
- § 19-3-2. Who may contract marriage; emancipation requirement; minimum age for marriage.
- § 19-3-3. Degrees of relationship within which intermarriage prohibited; penalty; effect of prohibited marriage.
- § 19-3-3. 1. Marriages between persons of same sex prohibited; marriages not recognized.
- § 19-3-4. Nature of consent required.
- § 19-3-5. What marriages void; legitimacy of issue; effect of later ratification.
- § 19-3-6. Effect of restraints on marriage; when valid.
- § 19-3-7. Contracts attempting to force marriage void.
- § 19-3-8. Interspousal tort immunity continued.
- § 19-3-9. Each spouse's property separate.
- § 19-3-10. Right of married persons to contract; presumptions.
- § 19-3-11. Gift from spouse allowed, but not presumed.
- § 19-3-30. Issuance, return, and recording of license.
- § 19-3-30. 1. Premarital education; fees; special requirements if marriage applicant is 17 years old.
- § 19-3-31. Issuance of licenses at satellite courthouses in certain counties.
- § 19-3-32. Penalty for improper issuance of license.
- § 19-3-33. Application for marriage license; contents; supplement marriage report.
- § 19-3-33. 1. Use of surname in application for marriage license.
- § 19-3-34. Marriage application to be filed; use as evidence; transmission to the state registrar.
- § 19-3-35. Issuance of license to applicants otherwise eligible.
- § 19-3-35. 1. AIDS brochures; listing of HIV test sites; acknowledgment of receipt.
- § 19-3-36. Proof of age of applicants.
- § 19-3-37. Parental consent to marriage of underage applicants; when necessary; how obtained.
- § 19-3-38. Notification of parents of underage applicants; additional fee.
- § 19-3-39. Certification and recordation of marriage after publication of banns.
- § 19-3-40. Blood test for sickle cell disease; information to be provided.
- § 19-3-41. Department of Public Health marriage manual; distribution; rules and regulations.
- § 19-3-41. 1. Fact sheet for distribution by premarital education providers; requirements.
- § 19-3-42. Effect on marriage due to the lack of authority in person officiating.
- § 19-3-43. Marriage in another state; effect in this state.
- § 19-3-44. Return of license to parties.
- § 19-3-45. Actions for improper issuance of marriage license; attorney's fee and court costs; disposition of balance of recovery.
- § 19-3-46. Forfeiture for officiating at marriage without license or banns.
- § 19-3-47. Penalty for filing false information in application for license.
- § 19-3-48. Penalty for officiating at illegal marriage ceremony.
- § 19-3-49. Acceptance by judges of tips, consideration, or gratuities.
- § 19-3-60. Definition; marriage as valuable consideration.
- § 19-3-61. Effect of minority of party.
- § 19-3-62. (See Editor's notes.) Requirements and construction of antenuptial agreements.
- § 19-3-63. Construction of marriage contract; attestation.
- § 19-3-64. Voluntary execution of antenuptial agreement; conveyance of property during marriage.
- § 19-3-65. Powers of superior court judge in appointing and removing trustees and protecting trust estate.
- § 19-3-66. Enforcement of marriage contracts, postnuptial settlements, and antenuptial agreements.
- § 19-3-67. Recordation of marriage contracts and voluntary settlements; effect of failure to record.
- § 19-3-68. Application for order compelling recordation; effect of application; liability of trustee refusing to record.
- § 19-4-1. When annulments may be granted.
- § 19-4-2. Right to file for annulment or divorce.
- § 19-4-3. Petition by next friend.
- § 19-4-4. Procedure.
- § 19-4-5. Effect of annulment.
- § 19-5-1. Total divorces authorized; trial; referral for alternative dispute resolution.
- § 19-5-2. Residence requirements; venue.
- § 19-5-3. Grounds for total divorce.
- § 19-5-4. Effect of collusion, consent, guilt of like conduct, or condonation.
- § 19-5-5. Petition; contents and verification; demand for detailed statement.
- § 19-5-6. Grant of divorce to respondent without necessity of counterclaim.
- § 19-5-7. Transfer of property after filing of petition; lis pendens notice.
- § 19-5-8. Pleading and practice.
- § 19-5-9. Incompetency to serve as juror.
- § 19-5-10. Duty of judge in undefended divorce cases; appointment of attorney; evidentiary hearings; evidentiary attacks on prior judgments.
- § 19-5-11. Use of confession as evidence; corroboration.
- § 19-5-12. Form of judgment and decree.
- § 19-5-13. Disposition of property in accordance with verdict.
- § 19-5-14. New trial.
- § 19-5-15. Effect of divorce.
- § 19-5-16. Restoration of maiden or prior name.
- § 19-5-17. Determination of parties' rights; preventing remarriage forbidden.
- § 19-6-1. Alimony defined; when authorized; how determined; lien on estate of party dying prior to order; certain changes in parties' assets prohibited.
- § 19-6-2. Attorney's fees; when and how granted; enforcement.
- § 19-6-3. Temporary alimony; petition and hearing; factors considered; discretion of judge; revision and enforcement of order; effect of failure to comply.
- § 19-6-4. When permanent alimony authorized; how enforced.
- § 19-6-5. Factors in determining amount of alimony; effect of remarriage on obligations for alimony.
- § 19-6-6. Liability after grant of alimony.
- § 19-6-7. Interest in deceased party's estate after grant of permanent alimony.
- § 19-6-8. Voluntary separation, abandonment, or driving off of spouse - Agreement for support as bar to alimony.
- § 19-6-9. Voluntary separation, abandonment, or driving off of spouse - Equity may compel support.
- § 19-6-10. Voluntary separation, abandonment, or driving off of spouse - Petition for alimony or child support when no divorce pending - Order and enforcement; equitable remedies; effect of filing for divorce.
- § 19-6-11. Voluntary separation, abandonment, or driving off of spouse - Petition for alimony or child support when no divorce pending - Appeals.
- § 19-6-12. Voluntary separation, abandonment, or driving off of spouse - Effect of subsequent cohabitation between spouses on permanent alimony.
- § 19-6-13. Liability of parents for necessaries furnished to children pending voluntary provision or court order.
- § 19-6-14. Child support and custody pending final divorce; liability to third persons for necessaries.
- § 19-6-15. Child support guidelines for determining amount of award; continuation of duty of support; duration of support.
- § 19-6-16. Enforcement of child support orders, decrees, or verdicts.
- § 19-6-17. Application for child support when custody awarded to nonparent or noncustodial parent was not subject to divorce court's jurisdiction; procedure; enforcement; judgment.
- § 19-6-18. Revision of judgment for permanent alimony and child support rendered prior to July 1, 1977; petition and hearing; expenses of litigation.
- § 19-6-19. Revision of judgment for permanent alimony generally - Petition and hearing; cohabitation with third party as ground for revision; attorney's fees; temporary modification.
- § 19-6-20. Revision of judgment for permanent alimony, generally - Issues for court to consider.
- § 19-6-21. Revision of judgment for permanent alimony - Not available in case of lump sum award.
- § 19-6-22. Revision of judgment for permanent alimony - Expenses of litigation.
- § 19-6-23. Applicability of Code Section 19-6-18 or Code Sections 19-6-19 through 19-6-22 to judgments on or after March 9, 1955.
- § 19-6-24. Applicability of Code Section 19-6-18 or Code Sections 19-6-19 through 19-6-22 to judgments prior to March 9, 1955.
- § 19-6-25. Revision of judgments for permanent alimony entered prior to March 9, 1955.
- § 19-6-26. Jurisdiction.
- § 19-6-27. Application for permanent alimony or child support after grant of foreign divorce decree; venue; hearing; review; modification.
- § 19-6-28. Enforcement of orders; contempt; service of rule nisi by mail; rule nisi form.
- § 19-6-28. 1. Suspension of, or denial of application or renewal of, license for noncompliance with child support order.
- § 19-6-29. Inclusion of accident and sickness insurance coverage in order for child support; payroll deductions.
- § 19-6-30. Collection of child support by continuing garnishment; child support subject to income deduction.
- § 19-6-31. Definitions.
- § 19-6-32. Entering income deduction order or medical support notice for award of child support; when order or notice effective; hearing on order.
- § 19-6-33. Notice and service of income deduction order; hearing on enforcement of order; discharge of obligor; penalties.
- § 19-6-33. 1. Family support registry.
- § 19-6-34. Inclusion of life insurance in order of support.
- § 19-6-35. Child support obligee regarded as creditor for attacking certain judgments and transactions.
- § 19-6-36. Judgment or lien surviving death; procedure and rights.
- § 19-6-50. Creation; responsibilities.
- § 19-6-51. Members; terms; chairperson, other officers, and committees; staffing and funding.
- § 19-6-52. Meetings; members' expenses.
- § 19-6-53. Duties; powers; authorization to retain professional services.
- § 19-7-1. In whom parental power lies; how such power lost; recovery for homicide of child or unborn child.
- § 19-7-2. Parents' obligations to child.
- § 19-7-3. Actions by grandparents or other family members for visitation rights or intervention; revocation or amendment of visitation rights; appointment of guardian ad litem; mediation; hearing; notification to family members of child's participation in events.
- § 19-7-3. 1. Equitable caregivers; form; required findings; establishment of parental rights; not a disestablishment of parentage.
- § 19-7-4. Criteria for loss of parental custody.
- § 19-7-5. Reporting of child abuse; when mandated or authorized; content of report; to whom made; immunity from liability; report based upon privileged communication; penalty for failure to report.
- § 19-7-6. Reporting of juvenile drug use.
- § 19-7-20. Circumstances of legitimacy; disproving legitimacy; legitimation by marriage of parents and recognition of child.
- § 19-7-21. When children conceived by artificial insemination legitimate.
- § 19-7-21. 1. "Acknowledgment of legitimation" and "legal father" defined; signing acknowledgment of legitimation; when acknowledgment not recognized; making false statement; rescinding acknowledgment.
- § 19-7-22. Petition for legitimation of child; requirement that mother be named as a party; court order; effect; claims for custody or visitation; third-party action for legitimation in response to petition to establish paternity.
- § 19-7-23. "Child born out of wedlock" defined.
- § 19-7-24. Parents' obligations to child born out of wedlock.
- § 19-7-25. In whom parental power over child born out of wedlock lies.
- § 19-7-26. Mother of child born out of wedlock not to be discriminated against in action to recover for injury or death of the child.
- § 19-7-27. Hospital program for establishment of paternity.
- § 19-7-40. Jurisdiction; administrative determination of paternity.
- § 19-7-41. Service outside state.
- § 19-7-42. Venue.
- § 19-7-43. Petition; by whom brought; effect of agreement on right to bring petition; stay pending birth of child; court order for blood tests; genetic tests.
- § 19-7-44. Appointment of guardian ad litem; payment of guardian; notice to natural mother.
- § 19-7-45. Genetic tests.
- § 19-7-46. Evidence at trial.
- § 19-7-46. 1. Effect of father's name or social security number on records as evidence of paternity; signed voluntary acknowledgment of paternity; certified copy of voluntary acknowledgment of paternity.
- § 19-7-46. 2. Temporary order of support.
- § 19-7-47. Civil action; testimony of mother and alleged father; default judgments.
- § 19-7-48. Settlement, dismissal, or termination of civil action.
- § 19-7-49. Final order; effect; evidence of costs.
- § 19-7-50. Expenses of litigation.
- § 19-7-51. Order of support and other provisions.
- § 19-7-52. To whom support payments made; enforcement and modification of orders.
- § 19-7-53. Confidentiality of hearings.
- § 19-7-54. Motion to set aside determination of paternity.
- § 19-8-1. Definitions.
- § 19-8-2. Jurisdiction and venue of adoption proceedings.
- § 19-8-3. Who may adopt a child; when petition must be filed in names of both spouses.
- § 19-8-4. (See Editor's notes.) Adoption through the department, child-placing agency, or out-of-state licensed agency.
- § 19-8-5. (See Editor's notes.) Third party adoption by party who is not stepparent or relative of child.
- § 19-8-6. (See Editor's notes.) Stepparent adoption.
- § 19-8-7. (See Editor's notes.) Adoption by certain relatives related to child by blood or marriage.
- § 19-8-8. Domestication of adoption of child born in foreign country; Certificate of Foreign Birth; authority of court to change date of birth.
- § 19-8-9. Revocation of surrender of rights; time limit; effect of voluntary surrender of rights by legal mother.
- § 19-8-10. When surrender or termination of parental rights of living parent not required; service on parents in such cases; involuntary termination of rights.
- § 19-8-11. Petitioning superior court to terminate rights of one parent or guardian of child; service of process.
- § 19-8-12. Notice to biological father; procedure when identity or location of father not known; effect of order terminating biological father's rights; legitimation of child by father; rights of mother.
- § 19-8-13. Petition; filing and contents; financial disclosures; attorney's affidavit; redaction of certain information unnecessary.
- § 19-8-14. Timing of adoption hearing; record retention; clerk's duties.
- § 19-8-15. Objections to petition for adoption.
- § 19-8-16. Investigation by court-appointed agent; criminal history records check for adoption petitioners.
- § 19-8-17. Report and findings of investigating agent; dismissal of petition; appointment of guardian ad litem.
- § 19-8-18. Hearing; district attorney to be directed to review inducement violations; decree of adoption; factors considered in determining best interests of child; disposition of child on denial of petition.
- § 19-8-19. Effect of decree of adoption.
- § 19-8-20. Forwarding of decree, report, and subsequent orders to department; issuance of adoption certificate; use as evidence.
- § 19-8-21. Adoption of adult individuals; applicability of Code Sections 19-8-19 and 19-8-20.
- § 19-8-22. Recognition and effect of order by court or administrative body within or outside United States.
- § 19-8-23. Where records of adoption kept; examination by parties and attorneys; use of information by agency and department.
- § 19-8-24. Advertising restrictions and requirements; "inducements" defined; unlawful inducements; penalties; exemption for personal communications; civil actions.
- § 19-8-25. Effect of prior consent or surrender of rights.
- § 19-8-26. Forms.
- § 19-8-27. Postadoption contact agreements; definitions; procedure; jurisdiction; warnings; enforcement, termination, or modification; expenses of litigation.
- § 19-8-28. Adoption of an orphan.
- § 19-8-40. Definitions.
- § 19-8-41. Release of responsibility by legal embryo custodian; procedures; presumption of parentage.
- § 19-8-42. Petition for expedited order of adoption or parentage; notice; waiver of technical requirements.
- § 19-8-43. Finality of orders of adoption or parentage.
- § 19-9-1. Parenting plans; requirements for plan.
- § 19-9-1. 1. Binding arbitration on issue of child custody and related matters.
- § 19-9-1. 2. Required domestic relations case filing information form.
- § 19-9-2. Right of surviving parent to custody of child; discretion of judge.
- § 19-9-3. Establishment and review of child custody and visitation.
- § 19-9-4. Investigation of abuse, neglect, or other acts which adversely affect health of child in custody disputes; cost.
- § 19-9-5. Custody agreements; ratification; supplementation.
- § 19-9-6. Definitions.
- § 19-9-7. Visitation by parent who has committed acts of family violence; conditional orders; confidentiality; joint counseling; conditions for supervised visitation.
- § 19-9-20. Short title.
- § 19-9-21. Purpose; construction.
- § 19-9-22. Definitions.
- § 19-9-23. Actions to obtain change of legal or physical custody; use of certain complaints prohibited.
- § 19-9-24. Actions by physical or legal custodian not permitted in certain instances.
- § 19-9-40. Short title.
- § 19-9-41. Definitions.
- § 19-9-42. Article inapplicable to adoptions or authorizations for emergency care.
- § 19-9-43. Proceeding pertaining to Indian child exempted from article.
- § 19-9-44. Child custody determinations of foreign country.
- § 19-9-45. Binding authority of child custody determination.
- § 19-9-46. Priority of question of jurisdiction.
- § 19-9-47. Notice and proof of service on persons outside the state.
- § 19-9-48. Personal jurisdiction not obtained in other matters; service of process.
- § 19-9-49. Communication between court of this state and other states.
- § 19-9-50. Testimony by deposition; electronic deposition; evidence transmitted by technological means not to be excluded.
- § 19-9-51. Hearings and studies in another state; costs.
- § 19-9-61. Jurisdiction requirements for initial child custody determinations; physical presence alone insufficient.
- § 19-9-62. Prerequisites for termination of exclusive, continuing jurisdiction.
- § 19-9-63. Prerequisites for modifying custody determination from foreign court.
- § 19-9-64. Temporary emergency jurisdiction; continuing effect; communicating with other courts.
- § 19-9-65. Notice required; intervention.
- § 19-9-66. Procedure when proceedings pending in another state.
- § 19-9-67. Finding of inconvenient forum; conditions.
- § 19-9-68. Wrongfully obtained jurisdiction; actions to prevent repetition of unjustifiable conduct; expenses.
- § 19-9-69. Information required as part of pleading or affidavit; continuing duty; sealing of information; children residing in family violence shelters.
- § 19-9-70. Requiring appearance for in state and out of state residents; other court orders.
- § 19-9-81. Definitions.
- § 19-9-82. Orders made under the Hague Convention.
- § 19-9-83. Recognition of foreign custody decrees; remedies.
- § 19-9-84. Authority to enter temporary orders if lacking jurisdiction; remedy from court with jurisdiction; victims of family violence.
- § 19-9-85. Registering foreign custody determinations; requirements of registering court; contesting registration; confirmation of registered order.
- § 19-9-86. Granting relief and enforcing registered custody determinations.
- § 19-9-87. Communication between enforcing court and modifying court.
- § 19-9-88. Verification and petition for enforcement requirements; sealing; appearance; expenses.
- § 19-9-89. Service of petitions and orders.
- § 19-9-90. Finding of immediate physical custody; awarding of fees, costs, and expenses; drawing adverse inference from refusal to testify; spousal relationship irrelevant.
- § 19-9-91. Verified application for warrant seeking physical custody; requirement for serious physical harm; warrant requirements; enforceability; conditions.
- § 19-9-92. Awarding of necessary and reasonable expenses.
- § 19-9-93. Full faith and credit to orders of other states.
- § 19-9-94. Appeals.
- § 19-9-95. Actions by district attorney.
- § 19-9-96. Assistance by law enforcement.
- § 19-9-97. Recovering expenses of district attorney and law enforcement.
- § 19-9-101. Promotion of uniformity between states.
- § 19-9-102. Application.
- § 19-9-103. Construction.
- § 19-9-104. Conflicts with Child Custody Intrastate Jurisdiction Act.
- § 19-9-120. Short title.
- § 19-9-121. Definitions.
- § 19-9-122. Delegation of child caregiving authority.
- § 19-9-123. Reporting requirement from nonprofit entities or faith based organizations; departmental responsibilities and liabilities; regulation.
- § 19-9-124. Parental limitation on delegation of power of attorney; rights, duties, and responsibilities of agents; acknowledgment of acceptance of responsibilities; approval of agents; organizational and entity record keeping.
- § 19-9-125. Notice to noncustodial parent of execution of power of attorney; objection by noncustodial parent; compliance with relocation notice requirements.
- § 19-9-126. Impact of execution on parental rights.
- § 19-9-127. Temporary written permission to seek emergency medical treatment or other services for children.
- § 19-9-128. No limitation on role of Division of Family and Children Services.
- § 19-9-129. Execution of power of attorney; probate court responsibilities; revocation or execution of subsequent power of attorney.
- § 19-9-130. Authority of agent; revocation, termination, or resignation of agent exercising power of attorney; right of parent to access records while power of attorney in effect.
- § 19-9-131. Child's status upon execution of power of attorney; delegation of authority must specify applicability.
- § 19-9-132. Delegation to grandparent; delegation by deployed parents.
- § 19-9-133. Continuing application of former provisions as applicable to grandparents.
- § 19-9-134. Power of attorney form.
- § 19-10-1. Abandonment of dependent child; criminal penalties; continuing offense; venue; evidence; expenses of birth of child born out of wedlock; support of child born out of wedlock.
- § 19-10-2. Abandonment of dependent pregnant wife; criminal penalties; continuing offense.
- § 19-10A-1. Short title.
- § 19-10A-2. Definitions.
- § 19-10A-3. Purpose.
- § 19-10A-4. No criminal prosecution for leaving child in custody of medical facility, fire station, or police station.
- § 19-10A-5. Investigating and reporting utilization of provisions.
- § 19-10A-6. Reimbursement of medical costs; placement with Department of Human Services.
- § 19-10A-7. Liability.
- § 19-10A-8. Posting of signs at medical facilities, fire stations, or police stations indicating authorized location for leaving newborns.
- § 19-11-1. Short title.
- § 19-11-2. Purposes of article; construction.
- § 19-11-3. Definitions.
- § 19-11-4. Application of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act."
- § 19-11-5. Debt to state created by payment of public assistance; amount of debt; waiver, reduction, or negotiation of certain repayments.
- § 19-11-6. Enforcement of child support payments and alimony for public assistance recipients.
- § 19-11-7. Enforcement of support payments for dependent minor child public assistance recipients; attorney's fees; interest on judgment; limited scope of action.
- § 19-11-8. Department's duty to enforce support of abandoned minor public assistance recipient; scope of action.
- § 19-11-9. Putative father registry; location of absent parents by department; assistance of other governmental agencies; use of information obtained.
- § 19-11-9. 1. Duty to furnish information about obligor to department; use of information obtained; penalty for noncompliance.
- § 19-11-9. 2. Duty of employers to report employee hiring or rehiring.
- § 19-11-9. 3. Suspension or denial of license for noncompliance with child support order; interagency agreements; report to General Assembly; duty to inform obligors.
- § 19-11-10. Investigation to determine ability to support; notification of parent; information forms; penalty for falsifying parents' report.
- § 19-11-11. Department subpoenas; court order requiring compliance.
- § 19-11-12. Review of orders for child support; review procedures; order adjusting support award amount; no release from liability due to subsequent financial obligation.
- § 19-11-13. Determination of paternity; acknowledgment under oath; legal proceedings.
- § 19-11-14. Father's liability for support of child born out of wedlock; full faith and credit to paternity determination by another state.
- § 19-11-15. Voluntary support agreement; notice and hearing; notice of final determination.
- § 19-11-15. 1. Information required to be given to individuals receiving services.
- § 19-11-16. Periodic redeterminations and reinvestigations.
- § 19-11-17. Redetermination at request of parent; time for hearing.
- § 19-11-18. Collection procedures; notice; judicial review.
- § 19-11-19. Garnishment and income deduction orders; notice and hearing; procedure; liability of employer.
- § 19-11-20. Wage assignments.
- § 19-11-21. Payment of support to department.
- § 19-11-22. Article not exclusive.
- § 19-11-23. Authority of district attorneys.
- § 19-11-24. Conformity with federal law intended; adoption of necessary regulations authorized.
- § 19-11-25. Availability of information about overdue support to consumer reporting agency; notice to debtor parent; fee.
- § 19-11-26. Accident and sickness insurance coverage for children; order requiring medical support.
- § 19-11-27. Accident and sickness insurance coverage for children; National Medical Support Notice or other notice of enrollment; establishment of coverage.
- § 19-11-28. Accident and sickness insurance coverage for children; authorization of payments of benefits; notice of termination; immunity from liability of person or entity providing access to coverage.
- § 19-11-29. Accident and sickness insurance coverage for children; liability and penalty applicable to person or entity providing access to coverage and insurers.
- § 19-11-30. Confidentiality of information and records; safeguards against unauthorized use.
- § 19-11-30. 1. Bank Match Registry.
- § 19-11-30. 2. Information from financial institutions.