Reeves v. Hager’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

15 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 15 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “A probate of a will is a proceeding in rem, and operates upon the subject-matter in controversy, and, though, in common form, is binding upon all parties, whether adults or minors, until the probate is set aside by a proper proceeding, and in a proper manner. Under the rulings of our court, whatever may be the rule in other jurisdictions, in the absence of fraud or collusion, a probate in common form is conclusive, until annulled, both as to the capacity of the testator, and as to the testamentary character of the instrument and its due execution; and not even a court of chancery can inquire into these features, even though fraud and undue influence in procuring the will is alleged.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Jennings v. Bridgeford

2. “‘ ‘ The real question in the case is, whether the will of Mrs. Reeves, admitted to probate in common form, and remaining unattacked from 1879 to 1893, -will support a plea of innocent purchaser, in favor of a party who bought, in 1885, from the devisee under such will. ’ ’”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Young v. Young

3. ““Upon its face, the provisions of the will are entirely natural * *”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Young v. Young