Rhonda Renee Lawson v. George Weidman, III as Administrator of the Estate of Sanna Elizabeth Weidman

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ October 28, 2026 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A26A2205. RHONDA RENEE LAWSON v. GEORGE WEIDMAN, III AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF SANNA ELIZABETH WEIDMAN. This case arises from a general power of attorney Sanna Weidman executed in favor of defendant Rhonda Lawson that Lawson used to convey to herself Sanna’s property shortly before Sanna’s death. George Weidman III, as the administrator of Sanna’s estate, sought injunctive relief and to set aside the conveyance. This Court affirmed the trial court’s grant of injunctive relief and summary judgment to George. See Lawson v. Weidman, 370 Ga. App. 35 (895 SE2d 314) (2023); Lawson v. Weidman, Case No. A25A1692 (December 12, 2025). The trial court thereafter awarded George attorney’s fees pursuant to OCGA § 9-15-14, and Lawson filed this direct appeal. George moved to dismiss the appeal, arguing that we lack jurisdiction because Lawson failed to file an application for discretionary appeal. We agree. An appeal from a trial court order awarding attorney fees under OCGA § 9-15-14 must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary appeal. OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(10), (b); Low v. Swift, 367 Ga. App. 874, 876 (889 SE2d 122) (2023). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Hair Restoration Specialists v. State of Ga., 360 Ga. App. 901, 903 (862 SE2d 564) (2021) (quotation marks omitted). Lawson’s failure to comply with the requisite appellate procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal.1 Accordingly, George’s motion to dismiss is GRANTED, and Lawson’s appeal is hereby DISMISSED. Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 10/28/2026 I certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written. , Clerk. 1 Although “a post-judgment award of attorney fees may be appealed directly without regard to the discretionary appeal procedures where there is a pending appeal taken from the underlying judgment,” Reynolds v. Clark, 322 Ga. App. 788, 789 (746 SE2d 266) (2013), Lawson’s 2023 and 2025 appeals were no longer pending in this Court when the trial court issued its fee awards on March 18, 2026.