Brooks v. Parkerson

Hunt, Chief Justice.

This appeal presents the issue of the constitutionality of Georgia’s “Grandparent Visitation Statute,” OCGA § 19-7-3. We hold that the statute is unconstitutional under both our state and federal constitutions, and reverse the trial court’s order to the contrary.

Parkerson, the child’s maternal grandmother, filed a petition for visitation under OCGA § 19-7-3. The petition was opposed by both the child’s parents, Stacy and William Brooks, who filed a motion to dismiss, challenging the constitutionality of the statute. We granted the parents’ application to appeal from the…