Where a petition authorized by subsection (a) of Code Section 19-6-19 is filed by a party obligated to pay alimony, the court may require the party to pay the reasonable expenses of litigation as may be incurred by the party’s former spouse on behalf of the former spouse in defense thereof.
History. Ga. L. 1955, p. 630, § 4; Ga. L. 1979, p. 466, § 26; Ga. L. 2005, p. 224, § 9/HB 221; Ga. L. 2006, p. 583, § 8/SB 382.
Editor’s notes.
Ga. L. 2005, p. 224, § 1/HB 221, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: “The General Assembly finds and declares that it is important to assess periodically child support guidelines and determine whether existing guidelines continue to be viable and effective or whether they have failed or ceased to accomplish their original policy objectives. The General Assembly further finds that supporting Georgia’s children is vitally important to the citizens of Georgia. Therefore, the General Assembly has determined that it is in the best interests of the state and its citizenry to undertake an evaluation of the child support guidelines on a continuing basis. The General Assembly declares that it is important that all of Georgia’s children are provided with adequate financial support whether the children’s parents are living together or not living together. The General Assembly finds that both parents have a continuing obligation with respect to providing financial and emotional stability for their child or children. It is the hope of the members of the General Assembly that all parents work together to advance the best interest of their children.”
Ga. L. 2006, p. 583, § 10(b)/SB 382, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “Sections 1 through 7 of this Act shall become effective on January 1, 2007, and shall apply to all pending civil actions on or after January 1, 2007.”
Law reviews.
For article discussing Georgia alimony provisions allowing modification of judgments with respect to federal and state constitutional limitations, see 18 Ga. B.J. 153 (1955).
For article surveying developments in Georgia domestic relations law from mid-1980 through mid-1981, see 33 Mercer L. Rev. 109 (1981).
For survey article on domestic relations, see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 113 (1982).
For article on 2005 amendment of this Code section, see 22 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 73 (2005).
Structure Georgia Code
Chapter 6 - Alimony and Child Support
Article 1 - General Provisions
§ 19-6-2. Attorney’s Fees; When and How Granted; Enforcement
§ 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
§ 19-6-9. Voluntary Separation, Abandonment, or Driving Off of Spouse — Equity May Compel Support
§ 19-6-16. Enforcement of Child Support Orders, Decrees, or Verdicts
§ 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
§ 19-6-25. Revision of Judgments for Permanent Alimony Entered Prior to March 9, 1955
§ 19-6-28. Enforcement of Orders; Contempt; Service of Rule Nisi by Mail; Rule Nisi Form
§ 19-6-33.1. Family Support Registry
§ 19-6-34. Inclusion of Life Insurance in Order of Support
§ 19-6-36. Judgment or Lien Surviving Death; Procedure and Rights