When permanent alimony authorized; how enforced

(a) Permanent alimony may be granted in the following cases: (1) In cases of divorce; (2) In cases of voluntary separation; or (3) Where one spouse, against the will of that spouse, is abandoned or driven off by the other spouse. (b) A grant of permanent alimony may be enforced either by writ of fieri facias or by attachment for contempt. History. Orig. Code 1863, §§ 1691, 1693; Code 1868, §§ 1734, 1736; Code 1873, §§ 1739, 1744; Code 1882, §§ 1739, 1744; Civil 438 Code 1895, §§ 2459, 2464; Civil Code 1910, §§ 2978, 2983; Code 1933, §§ 30204, 30-210; Ga. L. 1979, p. 466, §§ 10, 15. Editor’s notes. Ga. L. 1979, p. 466 amended prior law so as to provide that alimony may be assessed against either spouse. Cases decided prior to the 1979 enactment appear 19-6-4 to remain valid except insofar as they may imply that a wife only is entitled to receive alimony or a husband only is obligated to pay the same.