Recent Appeals Handled By Our Attorneys

Bertrand v. Palmer, Supreme Court of Georgia, Case No. S00A1550, decided January 22, 2001.

The Supreme Court of Georgia upheld the constitutionally of the state's statutory scheme for legitimation of children born out of wedlock. The appellant had attacked the legitimation statute as violating the "equal protection" and "fundamental rights" protections of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Georgia.

Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed with the United States Supreme Court on May 31, 2001.

Woodruff v. Woodruff, 531 S.E.2d 714, 272 Ga. 485 (2000)

The Supreme Court of Georgia redefined the requirements necessary to offer the hearsay statements of children under the "child hearsay statute" in civil and domestic cases. In its opinion the Court held that prior to offering such statements the party seeking to use such testimony must offer the child as a witness to show the child understands the nature of an oath.

Hall v. Coleman, 530 S.E. 2d 485, 242 Ga. App. 576 (2000)

In a case of first impression the Georgia Court of Appeals interpreted the adoption statutes to include as a "legal father" authorized to object to an adoption of a child, the biological father of a child which was conceived or born while the father was "married" to the mother even though the marriage was later determined to be void because of the mother's prior undissolved marriage.



In re: R.E.W., 471 S.E.2d 6, 220 Ga. App. 861(1996)

The Georgia Court of Appeals held that a father's homosexuality, standing alone, was not sufficient justification to deny him standard visitation rights with his minor child.



Lowery v. Lowery, 413 S.E. 2d 731, 262 Ga. 20 (1992)

In a case of first impression the Supreme Court of Georgia held that a professional licence earned by one spouse during the marriage was not "marital property" subject o equitable division during a divorce.