O.C.G.A. § 19-9-2

# 19-9-2. Right of surviving parent to custody of child; discretion of judge. Upon the death of either parent, the survivor is entitled to custody of the child; provided, however, that the judge, upon petition: (1) May exercise discretion as to the custody of the child, looking solely to the child's best interest and welfare; and (2) In the case of a surviving parent being criminally indicted for the offense of murder or voluntary manslaughter of the other parent, can proceed in the court's discretion. ## History Orig. Code 1863, § 1745; Code 1868, § 1785; Code 1873, § 1794; Code 1882, § 1794; Civil Code 1895, § 2503; Civil Code 1910, § 3022; Code 1933, § 74-106; Ga. L. 1979, p. 466, § 42; Ga. L. 1996, p. 412, § 2; Ga. L. 2007, p. 554, § 5/HB 369; Ga. L. 2023, p. 367, § 4/SB 131, effective July 1, 2023.