---
title: O.C.G.A. § 19-5-4. Effect of collusion, consent, guilt of like conduct, or condonation.
collection: code
id: 19-5-4
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 19-5-4 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-5-4
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-5-4.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/19-5-4/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t18-t19-(v16)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=b0848ebd_0#page=389
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: DOMESTIC RELATIONS / DIVORCE
---

# O.C.G.A. § 19-5-4. Effect of collusion, consent, guilt of like conduct, or condonation.

(a) No divorce shall be granted under the following circumstances:

(1) The adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, or intoxication complained of was occasioned by the collusion of the parties, with the intention of causing a divorce;

(2) The party complaining of the adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, or intoxication of the other party was consenting thereto;

(3) Both parties are guilty of like conduct; or

(4) There has been a voluntary condonation and cohabitation subsequent to the acts complained of, with notice thereof.

(b) In all such cases, the respondent may plead in defense the conduct of the party bringing the action and the jury may, on examination of the whole case, refuse a divorce.

## History

Laws 1850, Cobb’s 1851 Digest, p. 226; Code 1863, § 1673; Code 1868, § 1714; Code 1873, § 1715; Code 1882, § 1715; Civil Code 1895, § 2429; Civil Code 1910, § 2948; Code 1933, § 30-109.

## Law Reviews

For note discussing treatment of condonation in various jurisdictions and advocating its abolition as a strict defense so as to promote reconciliation, see 20 Mercer L. Rev. 481 (1969).

For note advocating abolition of the defense of recrimination, see 20 Mercer L. Rev. 484 (1969).