Syfert Injury Law Firm

Your Trusted Partner in Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation

Call Now: 904-383-7448

2018 Georgia Code 23-4-31 | Car Wreck Lawyer

TITLE 23 EQUITY

Section 4. Equity Procedure, 23-4-1 through 23-4-38.

ARTICLE 3 DECREES

23-4-31. Power of court to mold and enforce decrees.

A superior court shall have full power to mold its decrees so as to meet the exigencies of each case and shall have full power to enforce its decrees when rendered.

(Orig. Code 1863, § 4123; Code 1868, § 4154; Code 1873, § 4213; Code 1882, § 4213; Civil Code 1895, § 4853; Civil Code 1910, § 5426; Code 1933, § 37-1203.)

Law reviews.

- For article comparing sections of the Georgia Civil Practice Act with preexisting provisions of the Georgia Code, see 3 Ga. St. B.J. 295 (1967).

JUDICIAL DECISIONS

A decree may be partly final and partly interlocutory; final as to its determination of all issues of law and fact, and interlocutory as to its mode of execution. Johnson v. James, 246 Ga. 680, 272 S.E.2d 692 (1980).

A final decree disposing of all the substantial equities of the case is not made interlocutory by the mere reservation of the right to direct the mode of its execution. Johnson v. James, 246 Ga. 680, 272 S.E.2d 692 (1980).

The judgment of the court should conform to the reasonable intendment of the verdict upon which it is based. McGill v. McGill, 247 Ga. 428, 276 S.E.2d 587 (1981).

The decree of a court of equity must in every case follow the verdict, and may not embrace questions which the verdict does not cover. Burke v. Wilkins, 49 Ga. 257 (1873); Hall v. Huff, 80 Ga. 31, 5 S.E. 49 (1887); Gray v. Junction City Mfg. Co., 195 Ga. 33, 22 S.E.2d 847 (1942).

Decree may be molded to meet exigencies of the case, etc.

- After a jury returns a general verdict finding a nuisance exists, the trial court is authorized under this section to mold its decree so as to meet the exigencies of the case and the prayers of the plaintiffs. Tufts v. DuBignon, 61 Ga. 322 (1878); Parnell v. Wooten, 202 Ga. 443, 43 S.E.2d 673 (1947); City of Cordele v. Hobby, 240 Ga. 207, 240 S.E.2d 16 (1977); Cotts v. Cotts, 245 Ga. 138, 263 S.E.2d 163 (1980).

Trial court was entitled to enter an order molding the verdict in continuing a nuisance case pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 23-4-31, as doing so was necessary to meet the exigencies of the case and the prayers of the landowners, and the order entered three months after judgment did not modify the judgment in any matter of substance not contemplated by the parties at the time the judgment was entered. City of Columbus v. Barngrover, 250 Ga. App. 589, 552 S.E.2d 536 (2001).

Enforcement order proper.

- Trial court did not abuse its broad discretion in balancing the equities and entering a second order requiring conveyance of property in exchange for payment of the sum determined in its original order, plus interest, and refusing to order either party to reimburse the other for taxes, maintenance, or rental value related to the property. Nowlin v. Davis, 278 Ga. 240, 599 S.E.2d 128 (2004).

Enforcement of divorce decree not an impermissible modification.

- Trial court's order requiring a husband to return to the wife items of jewelry which were not mentioned in the original decree was not an impermissible modification of the decree but an enforcement of a settlement agreement reached between the parties themselves, as permitted by the decree, which the court could enforce under O.C.G.A. § 23-4-31. Doritis v. Doritis, 294 Ga. 421, 754 S.E.2d 53 (2014).

Manner of enforcement of decree is within discretion of judge.

- In molding a decree upon the jury's verdict upon the facts, the chancellor (now judge) has a very broad discretion in determining what steps shall be taken to secure the enforcement of the rights awarded by the verdict, to the end that equity may afford adequate and complete relief, and this discretion will not in any case be controlled unless it is manifest there has been an abuse of discretion in a material matter. Bank of Tupelo v. Collier, 191 Ga. 852, 14 S.E.2d 59 (1941); Bregman v. Rosenthal, 212 Ga. 95, 90 S.E.2d 561 (1955).

An order entered by the trial court after appeal was not an impermissible modification of a final judgment, where the second decree became necessary only because the owner refused to obey the first decree. Gallogly v. Bradco, Inc., 260 Ga. 311, 392 S.E.2d 529 (1990).

Out-of-term modification of order not permitted.

- Where the trial court's order is final in that the case is no longer pending in the trial court, the trial court lacks authority, in a succeeding term, to modify that order so as to relieve parties from their duty of compliance. Cobb County v. Buchanan, 261 Ga. 854, 413 S.E.2d 198 (1992).

Creation of trust for child support effectuated jury's intent.

- Where, in a divorce case, the jury clearly intended to create a trust for the purpose of providing support for the minor child during his minority and they also intended that there be monthly payments from the trust for the use of the child, but the husband failed to take any substantive steps to set up the trust, there was no error in the trial court naming a trustee and providing the necessary provisions to effectuate the trust for the purpose of providing monthly child support, such as requiring the husband to make the payments necessary to keep current on his obligations for his share of the debts, encumbrances and maintenance of the trust property. Aycock v. Aycock, 251 Ga. 104, 303 S.E.2d 456 (1983).

Cited in Wade v. Peacock, 121 Ga. 816, 49 S.E. 826 (1905); Swift & Co. v. First Nat'l Bank, 161 Ga. 543, 132 S.E. 99 (1926); Gore v. Humphries, 163 Ga. 106, 135 S.E. 481 (1926); Watters v. Southern Brighton Mills, 168 Ga. 15, 147 S.E. 87 (1929); Holst v. City of La Grange, 175 Ga. 402, 165 S.E. 217 (1932); Westberry v. Reddish, 178 Ga. 116, 172 S.E. 10 (1933); Jarecky v. Arnold, 51 Ga. App. 954, 182 S.E. 66 (1935); Kirk v. Bray, 181 Ga. 814, 184 S.E. 733 (1935); Snyder v. Elkan, 187 Ga. 164, 199 S.E. 891 (1938); Payne v. Home Sav. Bank, 193 Ga. 406, 18 S.E.2d 770 (1942); Hughes v. Cobb, 195 Ga. 213, 23 S.E.2d 701 (1942); Johnson v. Wilson, 212 Ga. 264, 91 S.E.2d 758 (1956); G.S. & M. Co. v. Dixon, 220 Ga. 329, 138 S.E.2d 662 (1964); Moon v. Moon, 222 Ga. 650, 151 S.E.2d 714 (1966); Bradley v. Bradley, 233 Ga. 83, 210 S.E.2d 1 (1974); Brown v. Techdata Corp., 238 Ga. 622, 234 S.E.2d 787 (1977); Gorman v. Gorman, 239 Ga. 312, 236 S.E.2d 652 (1977); Golden v. Frazier, 244 Ga. 685, 261 S.E.2d 703 (1979); Holman v. Ruesken, 246 Ga. 557, 272 S.E.2d 292 (1980); Hudson v. Hudson, 258 Ga. 692, 373 S.E.2d 372 (1988); Getman v. Ackerly, 259 Ga. 534, 384 S.E.2d 651 (1989); Hirsh v. City of Atlanta, 261 Ga. 22, 401 S.E.2d 530 (1991).

RESEARCH REFERENCES

Am. Jur. 2d.

- 27 Am. Jur. 2d, Equity, § 251.

C.J.S.

- 30 C.J.S., Equity, § 12. 31 C.J.S., Equity, § 612 et seq.

ALR.

- Constitutionality of statute conferring on chancery courts power to abate public nuisance, 22 A.L.R. 542, 75 A.L.R. 1298.

Power of equity to require acceptance of damages in lieu of injunctive relief asked, 105 A.L.R. 1381.

Cases Citing Georgia Code 23-4-31 From Courtlistener.com

Total Results: 14

Sponsler v. Sponsler

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 2017-05-30

Citation: 301 Ga. 600, 800 S.E.2d 564, 2017 WL 2332655, 2017 Ga. LEXIS 442

Snippet: misconduct and thereby “enforce its decrees.” OCGA § 23-4-31 (“[a] superior court shall have full power to mold

Jones v. Jones

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 2016-03-25

Citation: 298 Ga. 762, 787 S.E.2d 682, 2016 Ga. LEXIS 246

Snippet: Ga. 189, 190 (773 SE2d 247) (2015). See OCGA § 23-4-31 (“[a] superior court shall have full power to mold

Doritis v. Doritis

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 2014-01-21

Citation: 294 Ga. 421, 754 S.E.2d 53, 2014 Fulton County D. Rep. 93, 2014 WL 211277, 2014 Ga. LEXIS 58

Snippet: the sale of the marital residence. See OCGA § 23-4-31 (“[a] superior court shall have full power to mold

Smith v. Smith

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 2013-09-09

Citation: 293 Ga. 563, 748 S.E.2d 456, 2013 Fulton County D. Rep. 2800, 2013 WL 4779608, 2013 Ga. LEXIS 654

Snippet: 269 Ga. 587, 588 (502 SE2d 233) (1998). OCGA § 23-4-31 provides in this regard that “[a] superior court

Nowlin v. Davis

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 2004-06-28

Citation: 599 S.E.2d 128, 278 Ga. 240, 2004 Fulton County D. Rep. 2117, 2004 Ga. LEXIS 534

Snippet: various sums if conveyance is required. OCGA § 23-4-31 provides that "[a] superior court shall have full

O'DONNELL v. Durham

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 2002-11-12

Citation: 573 S.E.2d 23, 275 Ga. 860

Snippet: power to enforce its decrees when rendered. OCGA § 23-4-31. Accordingly, I believe the superior court judge

Southern Healthcare System, Inc. v. Health Care Capital Consolidated, Inc.

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 2002-05-13

Citation: 275 Ga. 247, 563 S.E.2d 132, 2002 Fulton County D. Rep. 1391, 2002 Ga. LEXIS 374

Snippet: management selection process.” Citing OCGA §§ 9-8-1 and 23-4-31, the trial court ordered SHS and HCCC to reach

Goode v. Mountain Lake Investments, L.L.C.

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 1999-11-22

Citation: 524 S.E.2d 229, 271 Ga. 722, 99 Fulton County D. Rep. 4118, 1999 Ga. LEXIS 994

Snippet: 692, 693, n. 1 (373 SE2d 372) (1988); OCGA §§ 23-4-31; 9-5-8. Prime Bank v. Galler, 263 Ga. 286, 289

Cobb County v. Buchanan

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 1992-02-13

Citation: 413 S.E.2d 198, 261 Ga. 857, 42 Fulton County D. Rep. 19, 1992 Ga. LEXIS 149

Snippet: Citing the superior court's power under OCGA § 23-4-31 to enforce its judgments, this court held that

Hirsh v. City of Atlanta

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 1991-03-15

Citation: 401 S.E.2d 530, 261 Ga. 22, 1991 Ga. LEXIS 128

Snippet: as to meet the exigencies of the case. OCGA § 23-4-31. 5. Liberty can only be exercised in a system of

Gallogly v. Bradco, Inc.

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 1990-06-21

Citation: 392 S.E.2d 529, 260 Ga. 311

Snippet: to enforce its decrees when rendered." OCGA § 23-4-31. 3. We have examined the enumerations of error

Getman v. Ackerly

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 1989-10-19

Citation: 259 Ga. 534, 384 S.E.2d 651

Snippet: to enforce its decrees when rendered.” OCGA § 23-4-31.

Hudson v. Hudson

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 1988-11-10

Citation: 258 Ga. 692, 373 S.E.2d 372, 1988 Ga. LEXIS 470

Snippet: to enforce its decrees when rendered.” OCGA § 23-4-31. The superior courts, on the trial of any civil

Aycock v. Aycock

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia | Date Filed: 1983-06-07

Citation: 303 S.E.2d 456, 251 Ga. 104

Snippet: "to meet the exigencies of each case," OCGA § 23-4-31 (Code Ann. § 37-1203), although the law also provides