SEARCH

Palmer v. Bertrand

Georgia's paternity statutes do not violate equal protection.

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Susan Bertrand brought this action to establish that Thomas Palmer is the father of her child and to obtain an award of child support. Palmer moved to dismiss the complaint on the ground that the statutory scheme for paternity actions set forth in OCGA § 19-7-43 et seq. is unconstitutional. The case proceeded to trial and the jury returned a verdict in favor of Ms. Bertrand. The trial court entered judgment on the jury’s verdict, and Palmer filed a motion for new trial asserting, in part, that the trial court erred in denying the motion to dismiss on constitutional grounds. The trial court denied the motion for new trial, and we granted this discretionary appeal to consider whether the paternity statutes violate principles of equal protection. Because fathers and mothers of illegitimate children are not similarly situated, and the paternity statutes actually decrease the effect of the inherent differences between the parents’ respective circumstances, we conclude that Georgia’s statutory paternity scheme does not violate equal protection.

Palmer contends that the paternity statutes create an improper gender-based classification that permits a male to be adjudged to be the father of a child and ordered to make corresponding child support payments, without according him the same parental rights which automatically enure to the mother of that same child.

More From ALM

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

From Data to Decisions

Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.

Elite Trial Lawyers 2024

July 11, 2024
New York, NY

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S.-based law firms performing exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.

Learn More

GlobeSt. Women of Influence (WOI) 2024

July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.

Learn More

General Counsel Summit (GCS) 2024

August 12, 2024 - August 13, 2024
Sydney, New South Wales

General Counsel Summit is the premier event for in-house counsel, hosting esteemed legal minds from all sectors of the economy.

Learn More

TRUSTS & ESTATES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

COLE SCHOTZ P.C. TRUSTS & ESTATES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: NEW JERSEY OR NEW YORK OFFICES: Prominent mid-Atlantic la...

Apply Now ›

Associate Position - Casualty Litigation Department - 2 - 4 years' Litigation Experience

Post & Schell's Casualty Litigation Department is currently seeking an attorney with 2- 4 years of litigation experience, preferably in ...

Apply Now ›

Personal Injury Attorney

A client focused Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and enthusiastic personal injury attorney who...

Apply Now ›

06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement

View Announcement ›

Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari

06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement

View Announcement ›