Title 19, Chapter 7, Section 40
( 19-7-40)
(a) The superior and state courts of the several counties shall have
concurrent jurisdiction in all proceedings for the determination of
paternity of children who are residents of this state. The state
courts shall have such concurrent jurisdiction notwithstanding any
contrary provision of local law. Parties to an action to establish
paternity shall not be entitled to a trial by jury. (b) Whenever the Department of Human Resources seeks to establish
paternity of a child, the Office of State Administrative Hearings
shall have authority to adjudicate the issue of paternity, pursuant
to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure
Act"; provided, however, that if the putative father demands a trial
in the superior court, it shall be the duty of the judge to cause an
issue to be made and tried at the first session of the next term of
court succeeding the putative father's demand for trial. The
administrative determination shall have the same force and effect as
a judicial decree. |