Cloud v. Norwood

BARNES

Jacquelyn F. Luther, for Appellant. Eddie Norwood, pro se.
BARNES, Presiding Judge.

Dawn Cloud, the biological mother of C.N., appeals from the trial court's order legitimating Eddie Norwood as the father, incorporating a parenting plan order, and continuing child support payments by Norwood from a previous order. Cloud contends on appeal that the trial court erred in not finding that Norwood had abandoned his opportunity interest in the child, and in finding that it was in C.N.'s best interest for the petition to be granted. She also contends that the trial court failed to set child support in accordance with the Child Support Guidelines.

It is always incumbent upon appellate courts to inquire into their own jurisdiction. See Todd v. Todd, 287 Ga. 250, 250(1), 703 S.E.2d 597 (2010).

Where both OCGA § 5–6–34(a) and [OCGA] § 5–6–35(a) are involved, an application for appeal is required when “the underlying subject matter” of the appeal is listed in OCGA § 5–6–35(a), even though the party may be appealing a judgment or order that is procedurally subject to a direct appeal under OCGA § 5–6–34(a). Rebich v. Miles, 264 Ga. 467, 468, 448 S.E.2d 192 (1994).
Avren v. Garten, 289 Ga. 186, 192(7), 710 S.E.2d 130 (2011).

Here, although the order appealed from expressly incorporates by reference an earlier parenting plan order, the “underlying subject matter” of the appeal—legitimation—must be brought by application under OCGA § 5–6–35(a)(2). See Brown v. Williams, 174 Ga.App. 604, 332 S.E.2d 48 (1985) (holding that a legitimation action is a domestic relations case subject to appeal by application under OCGA § 5–6–35(a)(2)). Thus, as this Court does not have jurisdiction over the appeal, it must be dismissed. See Todd, 287 Ga. at 252(1), 696 S.E.2d 323 (appeal of a divorce judgment in which child custody was an issue requires an application for interlocutory appeal).

Appeal dismissed.