Kerr v. Kerr’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

14 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 14 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““The plaintiff’s statement of her cause of action contains no reference to financial problems of any nature or kind. Nor does the complaint contain so much as a hint that any decree touching upon custody or support will be sought. It is apparent from the pleadings here that the plaintiff was seeking but one thing — a divorce. This being true, she cannot enlarge and broaden the scope of the action to include matters foreign to her complaint upon the default in appearance by the defendant.” 234 Ark. at 611 , 353 S.W.2d at 353 .”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Nelson v. Nelson · Mathisen v. Mathisen

2. ““A judgment for plaintiff by default must strictly conform to, and be supported by, the allegations of the petition or complaint, a closer correspondence between pleading and judgment being necessary than after a contested trial. Defendant’s default does not enlarge or broaden plaintiff’s claim and rights under the allegations of the petition; nor may the allegations of the petition be enlarged by any evidence offered or introduced as confirmation of the default judgment.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Starks v. North Little Rock Policemen's Pension