Vaughn v. Bowman’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

10 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 10 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “The second tier of the test under Section 452.377.9 RSMo is whether or not the proposed relocation would be in the minor child’s best interest. The Court elects to weigh Gannon’s best interest in light of the eight statutory factors recited in Section 452.375.2 RSMo. In doing so, the Court makes the determination that the Petitioner has not carried her burden of proving the relocation would be in Gannon’s best interest. In making said determination, the Court makes the following findings: a) that all four of the main adults in Gannon’s life, his mother (Petitioner), mother’s fiancé John McAllister, Gan-non’s father (Respondent), and his wife Sandra Steggall, love this child and wish to spend considerable time with him; b) that Gannon currently enjoys frequent and liberal court-ordered visitation with his father and his father’s family (wife Sandra, Son Brock and Daughter Shay), which includes considerable visitation during the week; c) if allowed to relocate to Bloomfield, Iowa, all week-day visitation would be lost between Gannon and his father, and other visitation times would be encroached upon by travel time, and the Court was presented no evidence to suggest that such a restriction on the Respondent’s visitation should be allowed, and the Court finds that it is not in Gannon’s best interest to spend less time with Respondent; d) Gannon has established a relationship with his step-family (Sandra, Brock, and Shay Steggall), and spending less time with them, which is what w”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Byrd v. Steggall

2. “(1) The wishes of the child’s parents as to custody and the proposed parenting plan submitted by both parties; (2) The needs of the child for a frequent, continuing and meaningful relationship with both parents and the ability and willingness of parents to actively perform their functions as mother and father for the needs of the child; (3) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interests; (4) Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent, continuing and meaningful contact with the other parent; (5) The child’s adjustment to the child’s home, school, and community; (6) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved, including any history of abuse of any individuals involved. If the court finds that a pattern of domestic violence has occurred, and, if the court also finds that awarding custody to the abusive parent is in the best interest of the child, then the court shall enter written findings of fact and conclusions of law. Custody and visitation rights shall be ordered in a manner that best protects the child and any other child or children for whom the parent has custodial or visitation rights, and the parent or other family or household member who is the victim of domestic violence from any further harm; (7) The intention of either parent to relocate the principal residence of the child; and (8) The wishes of a child as to the child’s custodian.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Byrd v. Steggall