Nelson v. Nelson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

38 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 38 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “jeopardizing the interests of his children.”

   7 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Turner v. Turner · Matter of Marraige of Willis

2. “[T]he refusal to recognize a change in occupation or employment as a basis for modification would force the defendant to be frozen in his present employment unless he would accept the prospect of financial hardship. We do not believe that it would be sound policy to place such a restraint upon him. Admittedly he has a duty to support his children, and the decree which is sought to be modified expresses that duty in a fixed amount. But the amount is not fixed immutably in the decree; it is subject to modification if circumstances fairly warrant modification. In most instances where a man makes a change in his occupation or employment which results in a reduction in his income, he does so with the hope of ultimately improving his financial condition. We think that he should be entitled to make this effort even though it may require the children to share in the financial inconvenience or hardship which attends the change.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Little v. Little

3. ““[A spouse] may wish to turn to another occupation, even though it calls for a permanent reduction in his income, because it holds the prospect of a more satisfying life for him. He should be permitted to choose such a course of action with the expectancy that the law will reduce the amount of the support money called for by the decree if it is the conclusion of the court that his hardship outweighs the hardship which would be visited upon his [dependents].” Nelson v. Nelson (1960), 225 Ore. 257, 264 , 357 P.2d 536, 540 .”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. 123 Ill. App. 3d 811 - In Re Marriage of Kowski