Meldrum v. Novotny’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

20 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 20 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Serious detriment to a child may exist whenever there is proof of one or more of the following extraordinary circumstances: (1) The likelihood of serious physical or emotional harm to the child if placed in the parent’s custody; (2) The extended, unjustifiable absence of parental custody; (3) The provision of the child’s physical, emotional, and other needs by persons other than the parent over a significant period of time; (4) The existence of a bonded relationship between the child and the person other than the parent sufficient to cause significant emotional harm to the child in the event of a change in custody; (5) The substantial enhancement of the child’s well-being while under the care of a person other than the parent; (6) The extent of the parent’s delay in seeking to reacquire custody of the child; (7) The demonstrated quality of the parent's commitment to raising the child; (8) The likely degree of stability and security in the child’s future with the parent; (9) The extent to which the child's right to an education would be impaired while in the custody of the parent; or (10) Any other extraordinary circumstance that would substantially and adversely impact the welfare of the child.”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. Clough v. Nez · Regalado v. Mathieson

2. “[t]he traditional `Cleaver' family is becoming less and less common in contemporary society.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. In Re the Change of Name of L.M.G. · State v. Horse

3. “Proof of abandonment or desertion of a child by a parent, or the omission by a parent to furnish necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical attendance, or other remedial care, or other means of support for his child is prima facie evidence that the abandonment, desertion, or omission is intentional and without lawful excuse.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. In Re the Guardianship of S.M.N.