FI FTH DI VI SI ON

RI CKM A N, P. J.

, BROWN, J.

, and SENI OR A PPELLA TE JUDGE PHI PPS.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

https ://w w w

. ga a ppe a ls .us /r ule s

D E A D LIN E S A R E N O LO N G E R TO LLE D IN T

H I S

C O U R T. A LL FILIN G S M U ST B E S U B M I TTE D WITH IN

TH E TIM E S S E T B Y

O U R C O U R T R U LE S

.

June 29, 2021



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A2 1 A0 11 1 . HALL et

al . v . HILL.

A2 1 A0 62 3

. HALL v

. D AVIS LAW N CARE SERVICES, INC. et al

.

P H IP P S , Sen i o r Ap p el l at e J u dg e.

Th es e co m

pan i o n cas es co n cern wh o i s t h e ri g h t fu l p art y t o p urs u e a wro n g fu l

d eat h act io n o n b eh al f o f m i n o r ch i l d ren o f t h e d eced en t , Sh au nt ri ce Jo n es

. In Cas e

No

. A2 1A0 1 1 1

, M i ch ael Hal l

, t h e c o n serv at o r o f t h e m i n o r ch i l d ren an d t h e

ad m i n is t rat o r of th e d eced en t’ s es t at e, ap p eal s t h e S u p e r i o r Co u rt o f Gwi n n et t

Co u n t y’s o r d er d i s m i s si n g h i s p et it i o n fo r i nju nct i ve rel i ef an d d en y in g h i s m o t i o n

fo r a t em p o rary res t rai n i n g o rd er o r p rel i m i n ary in ju n ct io n

, wh erei n h e s o u g h t to

p rev en t t h e g u ard i an ad li t em an d o t h ers fro m i n t erferi n g wi th h i s ri g h t s an d d u ti es

as co n s erv at o r an d ad m i n i s t rat o r. In Cas e N o. A2 1A0 6 2 3

, H al l ap p eal s sev eral o rd ers

en t ered b y t h e Su peri o r Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n t y

, wh i ch

, res p ect iv el y

, jo i n ed h i m asa p art y to a wro n g fu l d eat h act i o n fi l ed b y t h e g uard i an ad l i tem an d co ns o li d at ed h i s

w r o n g fu l d eat h act i o n wi t h t h e g uard i an ad l it em ’ s

, rem o ved hi m as a p l ai n t i ff a n d

en jo i n ed h i m fro m fu rt h er fi l i n g s

, d en i ed h i s cro s s -m o t i o n t o d ro p t h e g u ard i an ad

l i tem as a p lai n t i ff an d en j o i n h er fro m fu rt h er fi l i n g s

, a n d s t ru ck h i s v o l u n t ary

d i s m i s s al o f hi s wro ng fu l deat h act i o n t h at h ad al read y b een co n s o l i dat ed

. Fo r t h e

fo l l o w i n g reas o n s

, w e a ffi rm t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er i n Cas e No

. A2 1 A 0 1 1 1

, an d

affi rm in p art an d rev ers e i n p art t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd ers i n Cas e No . A2 1 A 0 6 2 3

.

Th e reco rd s h o ws t h at J o n es d i ed i n a car acci d en t in M ay 2 01 6

. In J u n e 2 0 1 6,

M arg aret Hi l l (J on es ’ s m o th er an d t h e m i n o r ch i l d ren ’ s g ran d m o t h er), act i n g as n ex t

f r i e n d

, fi l ed a wro n g fu l d eat h act i o n u n d er OCGA § 5 1 -4 -5 o n beh al f o f th e m i n o r

ch i l d ren in t h e Su peri o r Co u rt o f Th o m as Co un t y

. On e week l at er, Hi l l p et i t i o n ed t h e

s am e co u rt t o b e n am ed g uard i an ad li t em t o rep res en t t h e m i n o r ch i l d ren i n t h e

wro ng fu l d eat h act io n, an d t h e co u rt ap p o i n t ed h er as g uard i an ad l it em u n d er OCGA

§ 9 -1 1-1 7 (c) o n t h e s am e d ay

.

M au ri ce W il l i am s

, Sr., t he fat h er o f on e o f t he m i n o r ch i ld ren

, o b ject ed t o t h e

ap p oi n t m en t o f H i ll an d fi l ed a p et i t io n i n t h e P r o b a t e Co u rt of M i t ch el l Co u n t y

req u es t i ng t h at Hal l

– wh o w as t he Co u n ty Ad m in i s t rat or

– b e ap p o i n t ed a s t h e

co n serv at o r fo r th e m in or ch i l d ren

. I n J u l y 2 0 1 6

, wh i l e t h e m o t i o n s eek i n g Hal l ’ s

2ap p oi n t m en t as co n s erv at or was p e n d i n g

, W i l l i am s fi l ed a m o t i o n i n t h e Su p eri o r

Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n t y wro n gfu l d eat h act i o n s eek i n g , am o n g o t h er t hi n gs , t o (1 )

s t ay t h e li t i g at i o n p en d in g t he Pro b at e Co u rt o f Mi tch el l Co u nt y ’ s ru l i n g o n t h e

a p p o i n t m en t o f a co n s erv at o r fo r t h e m i no r ch i l d ren

, (2 ) s u b s t i t u t e o r al l o w

i n t erv en t i o n by t h e ev en t u al co n s e r v a t o r o n b eh al f of th e m i n o r ch il d ren

, an d (3 )

v acat e t h e o rd er ap p o in t i n g Hi l l as th e g uard i an ad l i t em

. T h e Pro b at e Co u rt o f

M i t ch el l Co u n t y u l t i m at el y ap p o i n t ed Hal l as t h e m i n o r c h i l d ren ’ s co n serv at o r in

J an u ary 2 0 1 7

.

In M arch 2 01 7

, H al l fi l ed a sep arat e wro n g fu l d eat h act i on in t he St at e Co u rt

o f Gwi n n et t Co u n t y o n b e h a l f o f t h e ch i ld ren

. A l s o i n M arch 20 1 7

, Hal l fi l ed a

“ No t i ce to Co u rt o f I m

p ro p er Pl ai nt i ff an d Co un s el an d Req u es t fo r D i s m i s s al

W i th o u t Preju d ice” in t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n t y cas e, wh erei n h e (1 )

arg u ed t h at t h e g u ard ian ad li t em was an i m p ro p er pl ai n ti ff, (2 ) wi th d rew W i l l i am s ’ s

req u es t t o al lo w th e ap po i n t ed co n serv at o r t o s u b s t it u t e o r i n t erv en e o n beh al f o f t h e

m i n o r ch i l d ren

, s t at i n g t h at “ Hal l an d h i s at t o rn ey s [h ad ] n o i n t en t io n of ap p eari n g in

o r p u rs u i n g t h i s cas e i n t h is Co u rt

, an d t h ey [m ad e] t h i s fi l i n g o n l y a s a s p eci al

ap p earan ce an d n o t as a p art y

, ” an d (3 ) req u es t ed t h e co u rt t o d i s m i s s th e cas e wi t h o ut

3p reju d i ce. At a h eari n g i n No v em b er 2 0 17

, co u n sel fo r H al l affi rm ed th at t h e req u es t

t o i nt erv en e an d /o r b e s u b s t i tu ted h ad b een wi t h d rawn

.

Aft er t h e h e a r i n g

, t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt of Th o m as Co un t y en tered an o rd er in

De c e m b e r 2 01 7 d en y i ng Hal l ’ s n o t i ce o f i m p ro p er p l ai n t i ff an d co u ns el

, as wel l as

h i s req u es t fo r d is m i s s al wi t h o u t p reju d i ce an d m ot i o n to v acat e t h e g uard i an ad l i t em

ap p oi n t m en t

. Th e co u rt ’ s o rd er n o t ed t h at Hal l ’ s m o t i o n t o i n t erv en e or s u bs t i t u t e h ad

b een wi th d rawn

, an d i t fo u n d t h at Hi l l was an ap pro p ri at e p art y t o b ri n g t h e cas e as

t h e m i n o r ch il d ren ’ s g u ard i an ad l i t em

. In a s ep arat e o rd er, t h e Su peri o r Co u rt o f

Th o m as Co u n t y co ns o l i d at ed t h e Th o m as Co u n ty an d G wi nn et t Co u n t y wro n g fu l

d eat h act i o n s an d jo i n ed Hal l as a p lai n t iff i n t h e Th o m as Co u n t y cas e.

I n Feb ru ary 20 1 8

, H al l fi l ed an o t h er m o t i on t o rem ov e t h e g u ard i an ad l i t em

as a p l ai n t i ff, wh i ch t h e tri al co u rt d en ied

. In Feb ru ary 2 0 2 0

, H a l l f

i l e d a v o l u n t ary

d i s m i s s al o f t h e St at e Co u rt o f Gwi n n et t Co un t y cas e i n t h e co n s o l i d at ed Th o m as

Co u n t y act i o n, an d ab o u t an h o u r lat er fi led a ren ewal s u i t i n t h e St a t e C o u rt o f

Gwi n n et t Co u n t y

. 1 Hal l th en fi l ed a co m p l ai nt i n th e Su p eri o r Co urt o f Gwi n n et t

Co u n t y seek i n g t o en

jo in t h e g u ard i an ad l i t em an d th e d efen d an t s i n b o t h cas es fro m

i n t erferi ng wi t h h i s p urs u i t o f a wro n g fu l d eat h cl ai m o n b eh al f o f t he m i n o r ch i l d ren

.

1 Hal l rep res en t s t h at t h i s cas e rem ai ns p en d i n g

.

4T h e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Gwi n n et t Co u n t y d en i ed H al l ’ s req u es t fo r i n ju n ct i v e rel i e f a nd

d i s m i s s ed t h e cas e i n Ap ri l 2 02 0

.

In Au gu s t 2 02 0

, t he Su p eri o r Co u rt of Th o m as Co u n t y en t ered t h ree ord ers : (1 )

an o rd er s t ri k in g Hal l’ s d is m i ss al o f th e St at e Co u rt o f Gwi n n et t Co u n t y act i o n

, wh i ch

h ad b een co n so l id at ed w i t h t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f T h o m as Co u n ty act i o n

, (2 ) an o rd er

rem o v in g Hal l as a p l ai nt iff fro m t h e T ho m as Co u n ty cas e an d en jo i n i n g h i m fro m

fu rt her fi l i n g s

, an d (3 ) an ord er d en y i n g Hal l’ s cro s s -m o t i o n s eek i n g t o d ro p t h e

g u ard i an ad l it em as a p l ai n ti ff an d en jo i n h er fro m ad d i t i o n al fi l i n gs

. T h es e ap p eal s

fo l l o w ed

.

Ca s e No . A2 1 A0 6 2 3

1 . In s ev eral rel at ed en u m erat i o n s o f erro r, H al l arg u es t h at as co n s erv at o r o f

t h e m i n o r ch i l d ren an d ad m i n i s t rat o r o f t h e d eced en t ’ s es t at e, he al o n e h ad t h e ri g ht

t o as s ert wro n g fu l d eat h cl ai m s

. 2 W e ag ree wi th Hal l ’ s co n t en t i o n t hat a co n s erv at o r,

u p o n ap p o i n tm en t

, has t h e ex cl u s i v e p o wer to as s ert wro n gfu l d eat h cl ai m s o n b eh al f

o f m in o r c h i l d r e n

, b u t we d i s ag ree wi t h Hal l ’ s co n t en t i o n t h at h e t o o k t h e s t ep s

n eces s ary t o ex erci s e t h i s p ower.

2 Fo r co nv en i en ce o f d is cu ss i o n

, we are ad d res s in g th e cas es ou t of ord er an d

h av e t ak en t h e en u m erat ed erro rs o u t o f t h e o rd er i n wh i ch H al l h as l i s t ed t h em

. S t eed l ey v. Gi l b r et h , 3 5 2 G a. Ap p . 1 7 9 , 1 81 (1 ) n .1 (8 3 4 SE2 d 3 0 1) (2 01 9 ).

5(a) Hal l fi rs t arg ues t h at a co n s erv at o r h as th e ex cl u s i v e ri g h t t o p urs u e cl ai m s

fo r t h e m i n o rs an d th at t h i s ri g h t t a k e s p r eced en ce o v er a gu ard i an ad l i t em o r n ex t

fri en d’ s earl i er i n i t i at ed s u i t

.

OCGA § 9 -1 1 -1 7 (c) p ro v i d es :

W h en ev er an i nfan t o r i nco m p et en t p ers o n h as a rep res en t at iv e, s u ch as

a g en eral g u ard i an

, co m

m i t t ee, co n serv at o r, or ot h er l i k e fi d u ci ary

, th e

rep res en t at i v e m ay b ri n g o r d efen d an act i o n o n b eh al f o f t h e i nfan t o r

i n co m p et en t p ers o n

. If a n i n

f a nt o r in co mp et en t p er

s o n d oes n ot h a ve a

d u l y a p p o i n t ed r ep r es en t a t i ve, h e o r s he ma y b r i n g a n a ct i o n b

y hi s o r

h er n ext f r i en d o r b

y a g u a r di a n a d l i t em. Th e co u r t s h a l l ap p o i n t a

g u a r d i an a d l i t em f

o r a n i n f a n t o r i n co mp et en t p er

s o n n o t ot h er wi s e

r ep r es en t ed in a n a ct i o n o r s h a l l ma k e s u ch o t h er o r d

er a s it d eems

p r o p er f or t h e p r o t ect i o n o

f t h e i n f a n t o r i n co mp et en t

p er s o n

. . . .

(Em p h as i s s u p p li ed .) Becau s e t h ere w a s n o co n s erv at o r wh en t h e l i t i g at i o n b eg an

, t h e

n ex t fri en d

, s u b s eq u en tl y ap p o i n t ed as t h e g u ard ian ad l i t em

, was th e p ro p er p ers o n

t o b ri n g t h i s s u i t o n b eh al f o f t h e m i no r ch i l dren

. See In t h e In t er es t of W

. L. H.

, 3 1 4

Ga. Ap p

. 1 8 5

, 18 6 (7 2 3 SE2 d 4 7 8) (2 0 1 2) (“ In ci v il act i o n s

, a m i n o r m ay n ot

p ro s ecu te an act i o n ex cep t b y way o f a rep res en t at i v e, s u ch as a gu ard i an ad l i t em o r

n ex t fri en d .”). Bu t OCGA § 2 9 -3 -2 2 (a) s t at es :

W i t h o u t co u rt o rd er, t h e ap p o in t m en t o f a co n s erv at o r s h a l l ves t i n t he

co n s er va t or

t h e excl u s i ve p o wer

t o:

6. . .

( 6 ) B r i n g

, d efen d

, o r p art i ci p at e i n l eg al

, eq ui t ab l e, o r ad m in i s t rat iv e

p ro ceed i n g s

, i n cl u d i n g al t ern at i v e d i sp u t e res o l ut i o n

, as are ap p ro p ri at e

f o r t h e s u p po rt

, care, ed u cat i o n

, heal t h

, o r wel fare o f t h e m in o r i n t h e

n am e o f o r o n b eh al f o f t h e m i n o r[.]

(Em p h as i s s u p p l ied .) W e t hu s m u s t d et erm i n e th e m ean i n g o f “ ex cl u s i ve p o wer”

u n d er OCGA § 2 9 -3 -2 2 (a) an d wh et h er s uch p o wer o verri d es a g u ard i an ad l i t em ’ s

p ro p erl y i n i t iat ed l aws u i t

.

W h en i n t erp ret i n g a s tat u t e, we n eces s ari l y b eg i n ou r an al y s i s w ith f a m i l i ar an d

b i n d i n g can o n s o f co n s t ru ct i o n

.

W h en we co n s i d er t he m ean i ng of a s t at u t e, we m u s t p res u m e t h at th e

Gen eral As s em

b l y m ean t wh at i t s ai d an d s a i d w h a t i t m ean t

. To t hat

en d

, we m u st affo rd t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t it s p l ai n an d o rd i n ary m ean in g

, we

m u s t v i ew t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i n t h e co n t ex t i n wh i ch i t ap p ears

, an d we

m u s t read t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i n i t s m os t n at u ral an d reas on ab l e way

, as an

o rd i nary s p eak er o f t h e En g l i s h l an g u ag e wo u l d

.

W e m us t al s o s eek t o av o i d a co n s t ru ct io n t h at m ak es s o m e l an g u ag e

m ere s u rp l u s ag e. Fu rt h er, wh en t he lan g u ag e o f a s t a t u t e i s p l ai n an d

s u s cep t i b le o f o n l y on e n at u ral an d reas on ab le co n s t ru ct i o n

, co u rt s m u s t

co n s t ru e t h e s t a t u te acco rd i n g l y

. If th e s t at u t o ry t ex t i s cl ear an d

u n am bi g u o u s

, w e a t t ri b u t e t o t h e s t at u t e it s p l ai n m ean i n g

, an d o u r

s earch fo r s t at ut ory

m ean i n g i s at an en d

.

7Mo o s a Co

., LLC v. Co mmr

. of Ga

. Dep t

. o f Reven u e

, 3 5 3 G a. Ap p

. 4 2 9

, 4 3 0 -4 3 1 (8 3 8

SE2 d 1 0 8) (2 0 2 0) (ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

W i t h th i s fram ewo rk i n m i n d

, we t u rn t o t h e s t at u te’ s t ex t

. O CGA 2 9 -3 -2 2 (a)

(6 ) g i v es t h e co n s erv at o r, up o n ap p o i n t m en t, t h e “ ex cl u si v e p o wer t o [b ] ri n g

, d efen d,

o r p art i ci p at e i n l eg al

. . . p ro ceed i n g s

. . . i n t h e n am e o f o r on b eh al f o f t h e m i n o r[.] ”

W h en co ns t ru i ng a s i m i l ar s t at u t e, t h i s Co u rt h as h el d t h at t o “ p art i ci p at e” m ean s “ to

t ak e p art

. ” CL S

NF, L L C v

. Fo u n t a i n

, 3 5 5 Ga. Ap p

. 1 7 6

, 1 8 3 (1 ) (8 4 3 SE2 d 6 0 5 )

(2 0 2 0). An d “ ex cl u s i v e p o wer” i s d efi n ed as “ [a] p o w er h el d b y o n ly o n e p ers o n o r

au t h o ri t at i v e b o d y

. ” Bl ack ’ s La w Di ct i o n ary (1 1 t h ed

. 2 0 1 9 ). Acco rd i n g l y

, t h e

l an g u ag e o f t h i s s t at ut e i s cl ear an d u n am b i g u ou s : aft er b ei n g ap p o i n t ed

, t h e

co n serv at o r al o n e h as t h e p o wer t o b ri n g, d efen d

, o r p art i ci p at e in an act i on o n b eh al f

o f t h e m in o r. Bu t t h e qu es t i o n rem ai ns : h o w d o es t h e co n s erv at o r ex erci s e t h i s p o wer

i f a cas e on b eh al f o f t h e m in or h as b een p ro p erl y i n i t iat ed b efo re t h e co n s erv at o r i s

ap p oi n t ed ?

Al t h ou g h Hal l arg ues t h at “ [b ] ecau s e t h e ri g ht o f t h e co n s erv at o r i s ex cl u s i v e,”

t h e g u ard i an ad li t em m

u s t s t ep as i d e wh en a co n s erv at o r i s ap po i n t ed

, we n o t e t h at

t h e trad it i o n al m ech an i s m s fo r n o n -p art i es t o p art i ci p at e in l aws u i t s are t h ro u g h

int erv en t i o n, i n t erp lead er, an d su b s t i t ut i on

. An d r ews v. Fo r d Mo tor C

o.

, 3 10 G a

. A

pp.

84 4 9

, 4 5 3 (3 ) (7 1 3 SE2 d 4 7 4 ) (2 0 1 1 ) (“ W e hav e defi ned in t erv en ti o n as t h e p ro ced u re

b y wh i ch a t h i rd p ers o n

, n o t o ri g i n al l y a p art y t o a s u it

, b ut cl ai m i n g an i nt eres t i n t h e

s u b j e c t m at t er, co m es in to t h e cas e, i n o rd er t o p ro t ect hi s ri gh t o r i n t erp o s e hi s

cl ai m .”) (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t ted ); Mema r v. S t yb l o

, 29 3 Ga. A p p

. 5 2 8

, 5 3 1

(6 6 7 SE2 d 3 8 8 ) (2 0 0 8 ) (t h e effect o f s u b s t i t u t i n g t h e real p art y in i n teres t i n t h e

l i ti g at i o n u n d er OCGA § 9 -1 1 -1 7 (a) i s t h at th e s u b s t i t u ted p art y b ri n g s th e s am e

cau s e of act i o n ag ai n s t t h e s am e d efen dan t ); OCGA § 9

- 1 1 -2 0 (a) (al l p ers o n s m ay

jo i n “ if t h ey as s ert an y ri g h t t o rel i ef jo i n t l y

, s ev eral l y

, o r i n t h e al t ern at i ve i n res p ect

o f o r ari s i n g ou t o f th e s am e t ran s act io n

, o ccu rren ce, o r s eri es o f t ran sact i o n s o r

o ccu rren ces an d i f an y q u es t i o n o f l aw or fact co m m o n to al l o f t h em wi l l ari s e i n t h e

act i on ”); OCGA § 2 3 -3 -9 2 (“ [i f]

, i n t h e p ro g res s of an y p r o c e e d i n g i n eq u i t y

, t h e

co u rt p ercei v es t h e neces s it y fo r p art i es t o i n t erp lead

, i t m ay o rd er s uch i n t erp l ead er

as co l l at eral an d an ci l l ary t o t h e m ai n cas e”).

Here, h o wev er, Hal l wi t h d rew an y m o t i o n to i n t erv en e in t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt

o f Th o m as Co u n t y l aws u i t an d req u es t ed th e co u rt t o d i s m i s s t h e cas e wi t h o ut

p reju d i ce, ex p res s l y s t at in g t h at h e h ad “ n o i n t en t i o n o f ap p eari n g i n o r p u rs u i n g [t h e]

cas e in t h i s Co urt

, an d

. . . m a[d ] e t h i s fi l i n g o n ly as a s p eci al ap p earan ce an d n o t as

a p art y .” Th u s

, Hal l ’ s act i o n s in t h e l aws u i t were co n t rary t o ex erci s i n g h i s “ ex cl u s i v e

9p o wer” t o “ p a r t i ci pat e i n ” t h e ex i s t in g l i t i g at i o n

, an d h e “ wi l l n o t b e h eard to

co m p l ai n o f erro r i n d u ced b y [h i s ] o wn co nd u ct

, n or t o co m p l ai n o f erro rs ex p res s l y

i n v i t ed b y hi m .” See Ma r y A l l en Rea l t

y & Mg mt

., LLC v. Ha r r i s

, 35 4 Ga. Ap p

. 8 5 8,

8 6 2 ( 1 ) (8 4 1 SE2 d 7 4 8) (2 02 0 ) (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ). W e are n o t

p ers u ad ed b y Hal l ’ s a r g u m e n t t h at t here i s a “ s t at u to ry ri g h t ro o t ed i n an ci en t

co m m o n l aw” al l o wi n g hi m t o i m m ed i at el y t ak e t he p lace o f t h e g u a rd ian ad l i t em

wi t h o u t u s i n g o n e o f t h e es tab l i s h ed m ech an i s m s fo r a n o n -p art y t o p art i ci p at e i n o r

jo i n an al read y ex i s t i ng l aws u i t

, an d we d i s ag ree wi th hi s co n t en t i on th at t h e cas es h e

ci t es fo r t h is co n t en ti o n are i m p o s si b le to d i s t i n g u i s h fro m h i s o wn

. 3 Th u s

, al t h o u g h

3 Hal l h as ci t ed m an y cas es i n h i s ap p el l at e b ri ef fo r t h i s p ro p o s i t i o n; h o wev er,

t h ey are cl earl y d i s t i n g u i s h ab le fro m t h e i n st an t cas e. See Mu s e v. Tr ea d a wa y

, 2 5 4

Ga. A p p

. 1 6 6

, 16 7 (1 ) (5 6 1 SE2 d 4 81 ) (2 0 02 ) (n o co d e p ro v i s i o n g ran t s t h e g u ard i an

o f t h e pers o n of an ad u l t ward t h e au t h o ri ty t o fi l e a l aws u i t o n b eh al f o f t h e ward ’ s

p ro p ert y i n t eres t s ); Tu cker v. Amer i ca n S

u r. Co

. , 7 8 Ga. Ap p . 3 2 7 , 3 3 1 -3 32 (2 ) (5 0

SE2 d 8 5 9 ) (1 9 48 ) (a p art y co u l d n ot m ai n t ai n an act i o n in h er o wn n am e o r b y n ex t

fri en d wh en h er p rev i o u sl y ap p o i n ted g u ard ian was n o t rem o v ed ); Pa r r i s h v. Ri g el l

, 1 8 3 Ga. 2 1 8

, 2 2 3 (1 ), 2 2 6 (2 ) (1 8 8 SE 1 5) (1 93 6 ) (reco g n i zi n g in d ict a t h e p referred

ri gh t o f a l eg al g u ard i an t o act as t h e rep res en t at i v e o f o n e n o t s u i ju ri s ); G a

. R. Ba n k

& Tr u s t Co

. v. Li b er t

y Na t

. Ba nk & Tr u s t Co

. , 1 8 0 G a. 4

, 1 1 (1 77 SE 8 0 3) (1 9 3 4 ) (a

g u ard i an ad l i t em an d a l eg al g u ard i an can no t b ot h m ai n t ai n t h e s a m e laws u i t o n

b eh al f o f t h e s am e ward ); Na n ce v. St o ckb u r g er

, 1 1 2 Ga. 9 0

, 9 1 -9 2 (3 7 SE 1 2 5 )

(1 9 0 0) (wh ere th e l aw d i d n o t au t h o ri ze a p ers on to v ol u nt ari l y i ns t i t u t e a s u it as n ex t

fri en d fo r “ a n i m

b eci l e o r l u n at i c[,] ” wh en th e p ro p ert y o f t h at p ers o n was b ei n g

was ted o r had b een s ei zed b y o t h ers wro n g fu l l y

, t h e o rd i nary h ad a d u ty t o ap p o i nt

a g u ard i an fo r t h e p ers o n ); R ees e v. Rees e

, 8 9 Ga. 6 45

, 6 5 1 -6 5 2 (1 5 SE 84 6 ) (1 8 9 2 )

(h o l d i n g t h at t h ere w as n o s t at u t e p rev en t i n g a “ l un at i c” wi th ou t a l eg al g u ard i an to

10Hal l h ad t h e ex cl u s i v e p o wer t o p art i ci p at e i n t h e wro n g fu l d eat h act i o n p en d i n g i n

t h e Su p eri or Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n t y

, he ex pres s l y d ecl i n ed t o ex erci s e th at ri g h t

.

So

, an y erro r o n t h e p art o f t h e t ri al co u rt i n i n terferi n g wi t h Hal l ’ s ex cl u s i v e p o wer

as co n serv at o r t o p ro ceed o n b eh al f o f t h e m i n o r ch i l dren w as s el f-i n d uced b y Hal l

an d p ro v i d es n o g ro u n d fo r rev ers al . Id

.

(b ) Hal l al s o arg ues t h at OCGA § 5 1 -1 -9 p ro v id es h i m a bas i s t o as s ert cl ai m s

o n beh al f o f t he m i n o r ch i l d ren

. W e d i s ag ree. OCGA § 51 -1 -9 s t at es “ [e] v ery p ers o n

m ay reco v er fo r to rt s co m m i t ted t o h i m s el f, h i s wi fe, h i s ch i l d

, h i s ward

, o r h i s

s erv an t .” B u t

, h ere, Hal l can n o t rel y o n OCGA § 5 1 -1 -9 becau s e t h e al leg ed to rt

fo rm i n g t h e b as i s fo r th e wro n g fu l d eat h act i o n i s n o t t h e d eat h o f h is w ard s (h ere, t h e

m i n o r c h i l d r en ), b u t rat h er, J o n es

. See d eVen t e v. Fl or a

, 3 0 0 Ga. Ap p

. 1 0

, 1 3 (6 8 4

SE2 d 9 1 ) (2 0 0 9) (“ t he nat u re o f a wro n g fu l d eat h act io n i s d eri v a t i v e o f t h e

d eced en t ’ s ri gh t o f act i o n ”).

(c) Hal l al so arg u es t h at b ecau s e h e s erv es as t h e ad m in i st r a t o r o f t h e

d eced en t ’ s es t at e, h e al o n e h ad s t an d i n g t o as s ert cl ai m s fo r t h e es t at e. Gen eral l y

,

s u e b y n ex t fri en d u n t il h i s m en t al s t at us is ad ju d i cat e d an d a l eg al g u ard i an

ap p oi n t ed as p ro v i d ed u n d er t h e s t at u te s et t i n g fo rt h th e p ro ced ures fo r ap p o i n t m en t

o f a g u ard i an fo r s u ch p eo p l e).

11t h e ri g h t o f act i o n fo r th e reco v ery of p ers o n al p ro p ert y fo r t h e b en efi t

o f an es t at e v es ts ex cl u s i v el y i n t h e ad m i n i s t rat o r o f t h e es t at e, an d n o t

i n i t s b en efi ci ari es

. Th i s g en eral ru l e is s u bject t o t h e e q u i t ab l e

ex cep t i on t hat an h ei r m ay s u e i n h i s o wn n am e wh ere h e can s h o w t h at

,

b y reas o n o f i n s o l v en cy

, frau d

, co l l u s io n o r o t her s p eci al ci rcu m st an ces

,

t h e ad m i n is t rat o r i s u n wi l l i n g t o b ri n g t h e s u i t

.

Ped en v. Ped

en

, 2 9 3 Ga. A p p. 4 8 3, 4 83 -4 8 4 (6 6 7 S E2 d 6 5 0 ) (2 0 08 ) (ci t at i on s

o m it t ed ). An d

,

[ a ]n i n d i v id u al ’ s cl ai m fo r wro ng fu l d eat h o f a s po u s e o r ch i l d a n d a n

es t at e’ s cl ai m fo r a d eced en t ’ s p ai n an d s u fferi n g are d is ti n ct cau s es o f

act i o n

. Th e di sb u rs em en t o f pro ceed s fro m s u ch a c t i o n s i s i n keep i n g

wi t h t h i s ru le: W h i l e d am ag es reco vered by t h e p ers o n al rep res en t at iv e

fo r p ai n an d s ufferi n g are p ai d d i rect ly to t h e es t at e, t h e pro ceed s of a

wro n g fu l d eat h act i o n d o n o t b eco m e p art o f t h e d eced en t ’ s es t at e.

MARTA v. Ma l o o

f , 3 04 Ga. Ap p . 8 2 4 , 8 2 6 (6 9 8 SE2 d 1 ) (2 01 0 ) (ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed ).

Here, wh i l e Hal l i s co rrect t h at

, gen eral l y

, c l a i m s o n b eh al f o f t h e es t at e res t

wi t h t h e ad m i n i s t rat o r, t h e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t ru l e th at Hal l co u l d n o t as s ert cl ai m s o n

b eh al f o f t h e es t at e. It i s “ wel l es t ab l i s h ed t h at t h is Co u rt i s fo r t h e co rrect i o n o f erro rs

o f l aw, an d wh en t he tri al co u rt h a s n o t r u l e d o n an i ss u e, we w i ll n o t ad d res s i t .”

Fi n d ley v. Ci t

y o f At l a n t a

, 34 5 Ga. Ap p

. 6 4 9

, 6 5 2 (2 ) (8 1 4 SE2 d 7 8 1) (2 0 18 ) (ci t at i o n

an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

122

. Hal l n ex t arg u es th at t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n t y erred i n d en y i n g

h i s req u es t t o v acat e i t s o rd er ap p o i n t i n g Hi ll as g u ard ian ad l i t em

. Sp eci fi cal l y

, Hal l

c o n t en d s t h at Hi l l was n o t s u i t ab l e to s erv e as g u ard ian ad l i t em becau s e: (1 ) Hi l l

p l ead ed g u i l t y t o th eft b y t ak i n g u n der t h e fi rs t o ffen d er s t at u t e i n 20 1 1

, (2 ) Hi l l fai l ed

t o in fo rm t h e p ro b at e co u rt t h at t h e b i ol o g ical fat h er o f o n e o f t h e ch i l d ren o b ject ed

t o h er ap p o i n t m en t

, req u es t ed Hal l ’ s ap p oi n tm en t

, an d req u es t ed t h at t h e l aws u i t n ot

p ro ceed u n t i l i s s u es o f c ustody

, g ua r d i an s h i p

, an d co n s erv at ors h i p were res o l v ed

, an d

(3 ) Hal l

, as co n s erv at o r, h ad t h e ex cl us i v e r i g h t t o rep res en t t h e ch il d ren i n t h i s

m at t er. 4 W e d is ag ree.

A l o w er co u rt ’ s d eci si o n n o t t o rem o v e a g u ard i an ad l i t em i s rev i ewed fo r an

ab u se o f d i s cret i o n

. Mu r

p hy v. Mu r

p h y

, 3 2 8 Ga. Ap p . 7 6 7

, 7 7 2 (3 ) (7 59 SE2 d 9 0 9 )

(2 0 1 4).

Th e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n t y fo u n d t h at

M arg aret Hi l l

, t h e m at ern al g ran d m o t h er of bo t h ch i l dren

, w as t h e o n l y

b l o o d rel at i v e t h at leg al l y h ad st an d i n g t o p et it i on t h e Co u rt at t h e t i m e

t h e g u ard i an ad l i t em was ap p o i n t ed

. W h en t h e gu ard i an ad l i t em o rd er

was s i g ned n ei t h er m i n o r ch i l d h ad b een l eg i ti m at ed

. In fact

, M au ri ce

W i l l i am s Sr. d i d n o t l eg i t i m at e [M W ]

, y ear o f bi rt h 2 0 1 1

, u n t i l l a t e

4 Th is arg um en t was ad d res s ed in Di vi s i o n 1 an d w i l l n o t b e reex am i n ed h ere.

132 0 1 6

. Fu rt h er, [KR] rem ai n s un l eg i t i m at ed an d t he i d en t i t y an d

wh ereab o u t s o f hi s b i o l o g i cal fat h er are s t i l l u n kn o wn

. Th erefo re,

M arg aret Hi l l

, i s t h e p ro p e r p art y t o b ri n g t h e s u i t on b eh al f o f b o t h

m i n o r ch i l d ren as a g uard i an ad l i t em

.

Fu rt her, [Hal l] arg u es t h at [Hi l l ] i s n o t t h e p ro per p art y t o b ri n g t h e s u i t

o n b eh al f o f t h e ch i l dren b ecau s e sh e i s c u r r en t l y o n fel on y p ro bat i o n

wh i ch s h o u l d m ak e h er u n s u i t ab l e t o act as a Gu ard i an Ad Li t em

.

Ho w e v e r

, t h is in fo rm at i o n i s i n co rrect

. [Hi l l] i s cu rren t l y o n fi rs t

o ffen d er p ro b at i o n an d t h u s h as n o t b een ad ju d i cat ed g u i lt y o f a fel o ny

.

Th erefo re, acco rd i n g t o Geo rg ia law, s h e d o es n o t hav e a fel on y on h er

reco rd an d t h e Co u rt can n o t co n s i d er s u ch

.

Becau s e Hal l h as no t s h o wn t h at Hi l l was n o t qu al i fi ed t o s erv e as g u ard i an ad

l i tem

, an d t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n ty co n cl ud ed t h at s h e was cap ab l e o f

fu l fi l l i n g t h at ro l e aft er h eari n g al l o f Hal l ’ s arg u m en t s

, we fi n d n o ab u s e o f d i s cret i o n

i n t he t ri al co u rt ’ s refu s al t o rem o v e Hi l l as g u ard ian ad l i tem

. Mu r p hy

, 3 2 8 Ga. Ap p.

at 7 7 2-7 73 (3 ) (affi rm i n g t ri al co u rt ’ s d en i al of m o t i o n t o d i sq u al i fy g u ard ian ad l i t em

an d fi n di n g t h at t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d eci si o n w as wi t h i n i t s d i s cret i o n wh ere th e m o v an t

“ p o i n t ed t o n o a u t h o r i t y

. . . t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred ” b y d en y i ng t h e m o t i o n to

d i s q u al i fy ).

143

. H al l arg u es t h at t h e Su p eri or Co u rt o f Th o m as Co un t y erred in jo i n i n g h i m

as a p l ai n t i ff an d i n co n so l i dat i n g t h e wro n g fu l d eat h cas es

. W e d i s ag ree.

OCGA § 9 -1 1 -4 2 (a) p ro v i d es :

W h en act i o n s i n v o l v i n g a co m m o n q ues t i o n o f l aw o r fact are p en d i n g

b efo re t h e c o u rt

, i f t h e p art i es co n s en t

, t h e co u rt m ay o rd er a jo i n t

h eari n g o r t ri al o f an y o r al l t h e m at t ers i n i s su e i n t h e a c t i o n s ; i t m ay

o rd er al l t h e act i o n s co n s o l i d at ed ; an d i t m ay m ak e s u ch ord ers

co n cern i n g p ro ceed i ng s th erei n as m ay t en d t o av o i d un n eces s ary co s t s

an d d el ay

.

Gen eral l y

, al l p art i es m

u s t co n s en t t o t h e co n s o l i d at i o n o f s ep arat e act i o n s. See Fo r d

v. Un i r oya l Go o d

r i ch Ti r e Co

. , 2 6 7 Ga. 2 2 6

, 2 2 9 (2 ) (4 7 6 SE2 d 5 6 5) (1 9 9 6) (“ [T] h i s

co u rt h as co n s i s t en t l y h el d t h at t h e p art i es m u s t c o n s e n t b efo re a t ri al co u rt m ay

co n so l i d at e o r jo i n rel at ed act i o n s fo r t ri al .”); Ga

. Tr a n s mi ss i o n Co r p

. v. W o r l ey

, 3 1 2

Ga. Ap p

. 8 5 5

, 8 5 6 (7 2 0 SE2 d 3 0 5 ) ( 2 0 1 1) (“ OCGA § 9-1 1 -4 2 (a)

. . . req u i res t h e

co n sen t o f al l part i es b efo re an y co n s o l i d at i o n o f act i o ns can b e effect u at ed .”)

(em p h as i s i n o ri g in al ). Ho wev er, o u r Su p rem e Co u rt h el d i n S ten g er v. Gr i mes

, 2 6 0

Ga. 8 3 8

, 8 3 8 -8 3 9 (1 ) (4 0 0 SE2 d 3 1 8 ) (1 9 9 1 ) (em p h as i s i n o ri g in al ), t h at jo i n d er an d

co n so l i d at i o n i s m an d at ed “ o n t h e defen dan t ’ s m ot i o n

, o f al l cl ai m s wh i ch d eri v e

fro m p ers o n al i n

ju ri es s u s t ai n ed b y a s i ng l e i n d i vi d u al ,” wh i ch i n cl u d es wro n g fu l

15d eat h act i o n s b ro u g h t b y t he d eced en t ’ s s u rv i v o rs (s u ch as t h e m i n or ch i l dren i n t h i s

cas e) an d act i o ns b ro u g h t o n b eh al f o f t he d eced en t ’ s es tat e b y t h e ex ecu t o r (s u ch as

t h e ad m in i s t rat o r i n t h i s cas e). Th e Su p rem e Co u rt bas ed i t s ru l in g i n St en g er o n i t s

p ri o r ru l i n g i n S t a

p l et o n v. Pa lmo r e

, 2 5 0 Ga. 2 5 9 (2 9 7 SE2 d 2 7 0) (1 9 8 2 ), wh ere t h e

d efen d an t was s u ed in s ep arat e act i o n s fo r p ers on al i nju ri es an d lo s s o f co n s o rt i u m

b as ed o n t h o se s am e pers o n al i n ju ri es

. Th e Su p rem e Co u rt s tat ed i n S t en g er t h at “ [a] s

i n St a p l et o n

, t h e cl ai m s b ro u g h t ag ai n s t St en g er are s ep arat e, b ut ari s e fro m t h e s am e

o ccu rren ce,” s u b

ject in g St en g er t o a “ s u bs t an ti al ri s k o f i n cu rri n g d o u b l e, m u l t i p l e,

o r ot h erwi s e i n co ns i st en t o b l i g at i o n s b y reas o n o f t h e t w o cl ai m s m ad e ag ai n s t h i m .”

S t en g er , 2 6 0 Ga. at 8 3 9 (1 ) (ci tat i o n an d p u n ct u at io n o m i tt ed ).

Th e ru l e an n o un ced i n S t a p l et o n an d ex t en d ed in S t en ger l i k ewi s e ap p l i es i n

t h i s cas e an d req ui res

, o n t h e d efen dan t s ’ m o t i o n

, th e j o i n d er an d co n s o l id at i o n o f t h e

wro ng fu l d eat h act i on b ro ug h t b y th e m in o r ch i l d ren wi t h t h e a c t i on b ro u g h t o n

b eh al f o f t h e deced en t ’ s es t at e b y t h e ad m i ni s t rat o r, Hal l

. Acco rd i n g l y

, we affi rm t h e

Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n t y ’ s o rd er jo i n i n g Hal l as a n e c e s s ary p art y an d

co n so l i d at i n g t h es e cas es

. 5

5 Pret erm i t t i n g t h e p ro pri et y o f t h e Su p eri o r Co urt o f Th o m as Co u n t y ’ s act i o n

i n o rd eri n g t h e Th o m as Co u n t y an d Gwi n n e t t Co u n ty cas es co n s ol i d at ed aft er t h e

St at e Co u rt o f Gwi n n et t Co u n t y d en i ed a m o t i o n t o t ran s fer v en u e t o Th o m as Co u n t y

,

164

. Hal l al s o arg u es t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred b y s t ri ki n g h i s v o l u n t ary d i s m i s s al

o f t h e St at e Co u rt o f Gwi n net t Co un t y wro n gfu l d eat h act i o n, wh i ch h ad been m o v ed

t o Th om as Co u n t y

. W e d i s ag ree. As s t at ed in Di v i s io n 3

, t h e t ri al co u rt p ro p er l y

co n so l i d at ed t h e cas es t o p rev en t t h e p o s s i bi l i t y o f i n co ns i s t en t v erd i ct s

. S t en g er

, 2 6 0

Ga. at 8 3 8 -8 3 9 (1 ). I n Co ker v. Ca s ey

, 1 7 8 Ga. Ap p

. 6 8 2

, 6 8 4 (7 ) (3 4 4 SE2 d 6 6 2 )

(1 9 8 6), t hi s Co urt rev ers ed th e t ri al co urt ’ s “ al l o wan ce” o f a p l ai n t iff’ s v o l u n t ary

d i s m i s s al o f h i s l o s s o f co n s ort i u m act i o n t hat h ad b een jo i n ed wi t h h i s wi fe’ s

s ep arat e p ers o n al i n

ju ry cas e u n d er th e ru l e s et fo rt h in S ta p l et o n

. W e h el d t h at a

p art y ’ s at t em

p t ed v o lu n t ary d i s m i s s al of a cas e t h at was jo i n ed as m an d at o ry u n d er

S t a p l et o n “ wo u l d

, o f co u rs e, ren d er n u gat o ry t h e h o l di n g i n S ta p l et o n an d d efeat i t s

u n d e r l y i n g co n cern fo r el i m i n at i ng t h e n eed fo r t h e s am e acci d en t cas e t o b e t ri ed

t wi ce, wi t h p o s s i b l y

d i fferen t res u l t s.” Id

.

Here, l i k e t h e pl ai n t i ff wh o at t em pt ed t o v o lu n t ari l y d i s m is s h i s l o s s o f

co n so rt i u m act i o n i n Co ker

, al l o wi ng Hal l t o v ol u n t ari l y d i s m i s s h i s act i o n on b eh al f

t h at i s s u e i s n o t b efo re us o n ap p eal

. W e, t h erefo re, h av e n o t ad d res s ed or d eci d ed

t h at i s s u e. T h i s Co u rt i s a co u rt fo r t h e co rrect i o n o f erro rs

, an d we d o n o t ad d res s an y

i s su es t h at m i g ht b e l urk in g i n th e reco rd b u t were n o t sp eci fi cal l y ru l ed o n b el o w an d

are n o t s u p p o rt ed in t he b ri ef b y arg u m en t an d ci t at i o n to au t h o ri t y

. Mo r ma n -Jo h n so n

v. Ha t h awa

y

, 3 1 2 Ga. A p p

. 3 0 0

, 3 0 1 (1 ) (7 1 8 SE2 d 1 3 2) (2 0 11 ); Co l l i n s v. Newma n

, 2 3 7 Ga. Ap p . 8 6 1 , 8 6 2 (1 ) (5 17 SE2 d 1 0 0 ) (1 9 9 9).

17o f t h e es t at e wo u l d ren d er th e ru l e s e t fo rt h i n S t a p l et o n an d St en g er n u g at o ry an d

d efeat i t s u n d erl y i n g co n cern fo r el i m i nat i ng t h e n eed fo r t h e s am e acci d en t cas e t o

b e t ri ed t wi ce, w i t h p os s i b l y d i f f e r e n t r e s u l ts

. Th u s

, th e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t err by

s t ri k i n g Hal l’ s v o l u nt ary

d i sm i s s al

.

Ho wev er, t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d is m i s s i n g Hal l as a p art y t o t h i s cas e b ecau s e,

as t h e ad m i n i s t rat o r o f t h e es t at e o f t h e d e c e d e n t

, h e was t h e pro p er p art y t o b ri n g

cl ai m s o n b eh al f o f t he deced en t ’ s es t at e. See S ten g er

, 26 0 Ga. at 8 3 8 -8 3 9 (1 ).

Acco rd in g ly

, we rev ers e t he t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er di s m i s s i n g Hal l as a part y t o t h e cas e

an d en jo i n i n g h im fro m f

u rt h er fi li n gs

, as h e was a p ro p er p art y t o as s ert cl ai m s o n

b eh al f o f t h e d eced en t ’ s es tat e.

Ca s e No . A2 1 A0 1 1 1

5

. Aft er v o l un t ari l y d i s m i s s i n g h i s wro n g fu l d eat h act i on o ri g i nal l y fi l ed i n t h e

St at e Co u rt o f Gwi n n et t Co u n t y

, Hal l fi l ed a ren ewal act i o n i n t h e s am e co u rt

. He al s o

s o u g ht an i n

ju n ct i o n i n t he Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Gwi n n et t Co u nt y ag ai n s t t h e g u ard i an

a d l i t em an d o t hers

, s eek i n g t o p rev en t t h em fro m i n t erferi n g wi t h h i s co m p l e t e

co n tro l o f t h e l i t i g at i o n

. Hal l as s ert s t h at t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Gwi n n et t Co u n t y erred

b y d i s m is s i n g t h i s cas e an d d en y i n g h i s req ues t fo r i n ju n ct iv e rel i ef. W e d i s ag ree.

18“ Th i s co u rt wi ll n o t i n t erfere w i t h a t ri al co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n t o g ran t or refu s e

i n ju n ct i v e rel i ef in t he ab s en ce of a m an ifes t ab u s e o f d i s cret i o n .” Eva ns v. Kn o t t

, 2 8 2

Ga. 5 8 4 , 5 8 5 (6 5 2 SE2 d 5 3 5 ) (2 0 0 7 ).

As s et fo rt h ab ov e i n Di v i s i o n 1 o f Cas e N o

. A2 1 A 0 6 2 3

, al t h o u gh Hal l h ad t h e

ex cl u s i v e p o wer t o as s ert cl ai m s o n b eh al f o f t h e m i n o r ch il d ren

, h e fo rfei t ed t h i s

p o wer by fai l i n g t o u s e o n e o f th e es t ab l i s h ed m ech an i s m s fo r a n o n-p art y to

p art i ci p at e i n o r j o i n t h e cas e al read y fi l ed b y t h e g u ard i an ad l i t em

. Th en

, Hal l refi l ed

h i s S t at e Co u rt o f G wi n n et t Co u n t y su i t an d s ou g h t t h e s am e rel i ef t h at h ad

p rev i o u s l y b een d en i ed i n T h o m as Co un t y

. Sp eci fi cal l y

, i n t h i s req u es t fo r i n ju n ct i v e

rel i ef, Hal l s o u g h t

, i n t er al i a, fo r t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Gwi nn et t Co u nt y t o en jo i n t h e

g u ar d i a n a d l i t em “ fro m

p u rs u i n g t h e cl ai m s an d h er cas e i n th e [Su peri o r Co u rt o f

Th o m as Co u n t y ] fo r t h e wro ng fu l d eat h o f t h e m i n o r s’ m o t h er,” an d t o en jo i n h er

fro m “ i n t erferi n g i n an y way wi t h [h i s ] p u rs u i t o f t h e wro n g f u l d eat h an d s u rv i v al

cl ai m s fo r t h e m i n o rs ’ an d t hei r m o t h er’ s es t at e.” Hal l t ri ed t o ev ad e t h e Su p eri o r

Co u rt o f T h o m as Co u n t y ’ s o rd ers

, b u t b ecau s e h e h ad an ad eq u at e rem ed y at l aw to

ap p eal t h e d eci si o n o f t h e Su p eri o r Co u rt o f Th o m as Co u n ty

, h e co u l d no t co l l at eral l y

at t ack th at co u rt ’ s ru l in g t h ro u g h an i n ju n ct io n

. See Mer ch an t La w Fi r m, P

. C. v.

Emer s o n

, 3 0 1 Ga. 6 0 9, 6 15 (2 ) (a) (8 0 0 SE2 d 5 5 7) (2 01 7 ) (a p art y i s n ot en t i t l ed to

19i n

ju n ct i v e rel i ef t o o b t ai n w h at t h ey were den i ed i n an ot h er cas e wh ere t h ey d i d n ot

ap p eal t he ad v ers e ru l i n g ). Th u s

, Ha l l h as n ot s h o wn t h at th e tri al co urt ab u s ed i t s

d i s cret i o n in d i s m is s i n g t h i s cas e an d d en y i n g h is req u es t fo r rel i ef. See H o l mes v. Bd

.

o f Co m mr s

. , 27 1 Ga. 2 0 6 , 2 0 6 (5 1 7 SE2 d 7 8 8) (1 9 9 9) (i n ju n ct i on p ro h i b i ted wh ere

ap p eal s erv es as ad eq u at e rem ed y ).

Ju d g men t a f fi r m e d in Ca s e No

. A 2 1 A0 1 1 1

. Ju d g men t a f f i r med i n p a r t a n d

r ever s ed i n p a r t i n Ca se No . A2 1 A0 6

2 3 . Ri ckma n, P. J., a n d Br o wn , J., co n cu r

.

20