What Happens to Me and My Child When I File an Appeal?
Dec. 3, 2025
Filing an appeal in a family law case raises understandable questions about what happens next for both you and your child. Many parents wonder whether the existing order will change, how long the process will last, and whether their daily routines will shift while the case is under review.
Appeals focus on correcting legal errors rather than starting from scratch, but the process still influences how your case moves forward. When handled thoughtfully, family law appeals can create opportunities to protect your rights and pursue a fairer outcome.
When parents in Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, or the greater Atlanta area want guidance with family law appeals, they often turn to Attorney Anthony M. Zezima at Anthony M. Zezima, P.C. He works with parents who need support while making challenging decisions that affect custody, support, or other final rulings.
If you’re considering an appeal and want to understand how it may affect your family, call his office in Lawrenceville, Georgia, today. He has more than four decades of experience and provides compassionate service.
How Filing an Appeal Affects Your Case
Once you decide to appeal, your case enters a different stage of review. An appeal doesn’t begin a new case. Instead, it asks a higher court to review whether the trial judge made an error. Because of that, your custody and support orders stay in place unless the appellate court approves a special request to pause the order.
Most parents are surprised that their parenting schedule, support obligations, and daily routines remain active during the appeal. The law requires both parents to follow those orders until the appellate court rules otherwise.
Appellate courts also focus on the existing record. They don’t take new testimony or review new documents unless a narrow exception applies. This structure influences the timeline and shapes what the appellate judges can consider, which naturally raises questions about your child’s daily life during the appeal.
How an Appeal Impacts Your Child’s Daily Life
An appeal rarely disrupts a child’s schedule. Most children continue following the same parenting plan while the case is pending. The appeal process focuses on reviewing legal issues, not making immediate changes.
Still, the process may require occasional adjustments to your own schedule, which can indirectly affect routines. Parents often face:
Changes in time availability: Court-related tasks may temporarily take time away from daily activities.
Discussions about the case: Children may sense tension even without being told details.
Scheduling conflicts: Deadlines and meetings sometimes overlap with normal commitments.
Even with these effects, children benefit from stability during the appeal. This creates a natural transition toward understanding the steps that occur once the appeal is officially filed.
Steps That Follow After Filing an Appeal
Once you file a family law appeal, the process moves into a series of clearly defined steps that guide how the higher court reviews your case. Family law appeals follow several structured phases. These steps help the appellate court review what happened during the original case.
1. Possible Outcomes
The Appellate Court could reject the Application for Discretionary Review, and then there will not be an appeal on the merits of the case.
2. Record preparation
The trial court assembles the record, including documents and transcripts. This collection becomes the core of the appeal.
3. Written arguments
Your lawyer prepares written arguments explaining why the ruling should be reviewed. The other party responds with their own brief.
4. Oral argument
Some appeals involve a short hearing where lawyers answer the judges’ questions.
4. The final decision
The appellate court reviews the arguments and record before issuing a written decision. That decision may confirm the order, reverse part of it, or return the case for further review.
Knowing these steps can help parents feel more prepared and reduce uncertainty while the appeal moves forward. Each phase—from record preparation to the final decision—plays a role in shaping the outcome, so staying informed and working closely with an experienced family law attorney can make the process smoother and less stressful. Understanding the steps also sets the stage for considering the possible outcomes of a family law appeal.
Possible Outcomes of a Family Law Appeal
After the appellate court reviews the record and arguments, it can reach several different conclusions, each with distinct effects on your case and your child’s routine. While each case is unique, most family law appeals result in one of these outcomes:
Affirming the order: The current custody or support arrangement stays in place.
Reversing the order: The appellate court agrees that an error occurred.
Remanding the case: The case returns to the trial court for further review.
Modifying certain elements: Some parts of the order may be adjusted based on legal interpretation.
When the appellate court sends the case back, the trial court may hold new hearings, adjust custody schedules, or reevaluate support. This naturally leads to how your parental rights function during the appeal.
How Your Parental Rights Are Treated During an Appeal
Your parental rights stay active during the appeal as laid out in the current order. The appeal doesn’t take those rights away or reduce them. Parents must still follow parenting plans, communication requirements, and support obligations.
Some parents take practical steps during this period, such as:
Keeping detailed records: Helpful if the case returns to trial court.
Communicating clearly: Written communication can reduce disagreements.
Following orders carefully: Compliance can support your position if the order is reviewed again.
Maintaining steady routines helps create stability while you wait for the court’s decision. This naturally raises the question of how long the appeal process may take.
How Long Does the Appeal Process Usually Take
The appeal process can take months because appellate courts must review records and written arguments before making a final decision. Factors that influence timing include:
Record length
Court scheduling demands
Whether oral argument is required
Because timing varies widely, many parents treat the appeal period as a time to prepare for any outcome. Once the appellate court issues its ruling, the next steps depend on how the judges decide the case.
What Happens After the Court Issues a Decision?
If the appellate court confirms the original order, your current custody and support arrangements continue. If the court sends the case back to the trial level, you may need to participate in new hearings or provide updated information.
When the trial court reviews the case again, possible next steps include:
Additional hearings
Updates to custody arrangements
Revised child support amounts
Because these steps can shift the direction of your case, you may choose to work with a lawyer who handles family law appeals to stay prepared. Call Anthony M. Zezima, P.C. today.
Why Legal Support Matters During a Family Law Appeal
Appeals revolve around legal reasoning, written arguments, and review of the existing record. Anthony M Zezima, Attorney at Law, works with parents who want help managing these requirements while protecting their parental rights.
Parents often find it helpful to have guidance on:
Which issues can be appealed
What outcomes are available
How the appellate court evaluates errors
What steps follow after a remand
Having a knowledgeable lawyer can also help you feel more confident throughout the process and reduce stress for both you and your child. This naturally transitions into the final consideration: deciding whether moving forward with an appeal is the right step.
Deciding Whether Filing an Appeal Is Right for You
Choosing to file a family law appeal is an important decision that can have long-term effects on both you and your child. Parents usually consider family law appeals when they believe a legal error affected the judge’s ruling. Appealing may be appropriate if:
The judge misapplied the law
The order contradicts legal standards
Important findings weren’t supported by the evidence
You want a higher court to review the decision
Discussing these concerns with an experienced attorney can help you understand whether an appeal is the right path and what to realistically expect throughout the process. Attorney Anthony M. Zezima has more than four decades of experience.
Compassionate Legal Assistance
Parents who want to challenge a ruling can benefit from speaking with someone who handles these cases. Anthony M. Zezima, P.C., serves clients throughout Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, and the greater Atlanta area. If you’re ready to discuss your options and next steps, call his office in Lawrenceville, Georgia, today.