Long v. Long’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

12 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 12 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “The court may modify an order or portion of a decree that provides for the appointment of a conservator of a child, that provides the terms and conditions of conservatorship, or that provides for the possession of or access to a child if modification would be in the best interest of the child and: (1) the circumstances of the child, a conservator, or other party affected by the order have materially and substantially changed since the date of the rendition of the order; (2) the child is at least 12 years of age and has filed with the court, in writing, the name of the conservator who is the child’s preference to have the exclusive right to determine the primary residence of the child; or (3) the conservator who has the exclusive right to establish the primary residence of the child has voluntarily relinquished the primary care and possession of the child to another person for at least six months.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Patterson v. Brist

2. “(A) the desires of the child; (B) the emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the future; (C) the emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future; (D) the parental abilities of the individuals seeking custody; (E) the programs available to assist these individuals to promote the best interest of the child; (F) the plans of the child by these individuals or by the agency seeking custody; (G) the stability of the home or proposed placement; (H) the acts or omissions of the parent which may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one; and (I) any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Patterson v. Brist

3. “(L) the degree to which the custodial parent’s and the child’s life may be enhanced economically, emotionally, and educationally by the move; (M) a comparison of the quality of lifestyle; , (N) the negative impact of any continued hostility between the parents; (O) the effect of the move on extended family relationships; and (P) the child’s age, community ties, health and education needs, and preferences.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Patterson v. Brist