Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ January 06, 2025 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A25A0852. CATHERINE GIBSON et al v. FRANK A. BELCHER, III.

The trial court entered an order awarding OCGA § 9-15-14 attorney fees and litigation expenses to defendant Frank A. Belcher, III. Plaintiff Catherine Gibson has filed a direct appeal from that order. We, however, lack jurisdiction.

An appeal from a trial court order awarding OCGA § 9-15-14 attorney fees must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary review. OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (10), (b); Capricorn Systems, v. Godavarthy, 253 Ga. App. 840, 841-842 (560 SE2d 730) (2002). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.”

Smoak v. Dept. of Human Resources, 221 Ga. App. 257, 257 (471 SE2d 60) (1996).

Gibson’s failure to follow the discretionary review procedure thus deprives us of jurisdiction over her direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED. See Capricorn Systems, 253 Ga. App. at 842.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 01/06/2025 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.