§ 19-9-120.Short title
Chapter 9. Child Custody Proceedings · Article 4. Power of Attorney for the Care of a Child · Last amended 2018 · Last verified October 9, 2026
Full Text of § 19-9-120
Plain-English Summary
This section gives Article 4 its short title: the “Supporting and Strengthening Families Act.” The name matters mainly for citation; lawyers, agencies and courts can refer to the article by that name. The article took effect on September 1, 2018.
The Act lets a parent hand off caregiving authority for a child without going to court. Under § 19-9-122, a parent may delegate that authority to an adult Georgia resident who is either a listed relative or a nonrelative approved by a child-placing agency or a nonprofit or faith based organization, by signing a power of attorney. In general the power of attorney may last no more than one year, but § 19-9-132 allows an unlimited term for a grandparent and a longer term for certain deployed military parents.
The rest of the article fills in the details. Section 19-9-121 defines its terms. Section 19-9-124 says what the agent can and can’t do. Section 19-9-125 sets notice to a noncustodial parent. Section 19-9-129 requires notarized signatures and filing in the probate court, and § 19-9-134 supplies a form. Section 19-9-133 keeps powers of attorney given to grandparents before September 1, 2018, under the former versions of §§ 19-9-120 through 19-9-129.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act in Georgia?
It is the short title of Article 4 of Chapter 9 of Title 19, the law that lets a parent delegate caregiving authority for a child to another adult through a power of attorney. Its sections run from § 19-9-120 through § 19-9-134 and cover who can serve, how long the power lasts, notice, filing and a form.
When did Georgia’s power of attorney for the care of a child law take effect?
Can I let a relative take care of my child in Georgia without going to court?
Yes, through a power of attorney under this Act. Section 19-9-122 lets a parent delegate caregiving authority to an adult Georgia resident who is a listed relative, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin or sibling, or who is an approved nonrelative. Section 19-9-124 says the delegation may be made without the approval of a court.
Is there a form for a Georgia power of attorney for the care of a child?
Yes. Section 19-9-134 contains a form that is sufficient to create a power of attorney under the Act, though using that exact form isn’t required. A power of attorney is legally sufficient if the form is properly completed and the parties’ signatures are notarized.
How long can a power of attorney for a child last in Georgia?
Generally no more than one year. Under § 19-9-132, a power of attorney to a grandparent may have an unlimited duration, and certain military parents who are deployed may delegate for longer than one year, though not beyond the term of deployment plus 30 days.
Amendment History
Laws 2018, Act 285, § 2-2, eff. Sept. 1, 2018.