258 So. 2d 233 - Simpson v. Rast’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

24 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 24 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “have a natural right to the nurture, care and custody of their children.”

   6 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Smith v. Malouf · White v. Thompson

2. “However, prior to today, this Court has consistently applied a different standard in deciding a custody dispute between a natural parent and a third party such as a grandparent, as follows: [I]t is presumed that the best interests of the child will be preserved by it remaining with its parents or parent. In order to overcome this presumption there must be a clear showing that the parent has (1) abandoned the child, or (2) the conduct of the parent is so immoral {as} to be detrimental to the child, or (3) the parent is unfit mentally or otherwise to have the custody of his or her child. Absent clear proof of one of the above circumstances, the natural parent is entitled to custody of his or her child.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. White v. Thompson · Thornhill v. Van Dan

3. “The father and mother are the joint natural guardians of their minor children and are equally charged with their care, nurture, welfare and education, and the care and management of their estates. The father and mother shall have equal powers and rights, and neither parent has any right paramount to the right of the other concerning the custody of the minor or the control of the services or the earnings of such minor, or any other matter affecting the minor.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. In Re Marriage of Leverock & Hamby · 881 So. 2d 227 - Griffith v. Pell