Sleeper v. Littlefield’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

16 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 16 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““If we were to lay down the rule in this state that papers or memoranda may be incorporated in a will by reference, the evidence in this case comes short of proving that the book ‘marked A’ was in existence and compiled at the time the will was executed. Fitzsimmons v. Harmon, 108 Me., 456, 458. In fact there is internal evidence in the book itself that it was not. Where such incorporation by reference is permitted, compliance with the statute of wills requires that the paper or document sought to be incorporated by reference must be complete and in existence at the time and clearly described in the will. Bryan’s Appeal. 77 Conn., 240 ; Newton v. Seaman’s Friend Soc., 130 Mass., 91 ; Bemis v. Fletcher, 251 Mass., 178 ; Est. of Young, 123 Cal., 339 ; 68 L.R.A., Anno. 354.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. First Portland National Bank v. Kaler-Vaill Memorial Home

2. ““. . . nor is it essential that the witnesses should see and examine all the pages of a will at the time of execution, if the court is satisfied from other evidence or the circumstances surrounding the execution, that all the sheets of paper offered for probate were present at the time of execution.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Estate of Beale