235 Mo. App. 1010 - Meredith v. Meredith’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

4 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 4 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “The rule is well settled that an action of interpleader can only be sustained where it appears that a reasonable doubt exists as to which of the claimants to the fund is in the right. It is not sufficient to show that rival claims are made. It must also appear that the elements of a bona fide controversy exist between the rival claimants over the right to the fund or property in question; nor is it sufficient that the stakeholder merely establish that suits have been brought against him, or that suits have been threatened by different claimants to a fund or property held by him in order to entitle him to the protection of a court of equity, but he must set forth facts disclosing the existence of a reasonable doubt as to whom he can safely deliver the fund or property in dispute, and, of course, where there are two claimants, and it clearly appears from the allegations of the bill that the claim of one of them is without merit, the bill does not state a cause of action.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. General American Life Insurance Co. v. Wiest

2. “`a mere assertion of claim by another, without alleging anything whatever on which to base it, is not enough to sustain an interpleader. There must be reasonable ground of uncertainty as to which claimant is entitled to the fund, and a bona fide controversy between rival claimants. Where the petitioner may be discharged from all liability by paying the money to one of the claimants, an interpleader will not be sustained.'”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. General American Life Insurance Co. v. Wiest

3. “We do not believe that any one could entertain any reasonable doubt as to the rights of the parties to the securities in question. There is nothing in the amended petition or in the cross-bill to throw a shadow of a doubt upon defendant Charles A. Meredith's right of ownership and right to possession of these securities as against any claim of plaintiff as disclosed by her petition.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. General American Life Insurance Co. v. Wiest