Scott v. Scott’s Empirical Analysis
2003
Citation profile
38
cited by 38 later decisions
2
states following
June 2019
most recently cited
38 state decisions
Relationships
Relies on DeBeaumont v. Goodrich · 577 So. 2d 461 - Hovater v. Hovater · Handley v. Handley · Clapper v. Harvey · 217 Ga. App. 780 - Ormandy v. Odom
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.
“[t]he best interests of the child are controlling as to custody changes. OCGA § 19-9-3 (a) (2); Parr v. Parr, 196 Ga. 805 ( 27 SE2d 687 ) (1943). Whether particular circumstances warrant a change in custody is a fact question determined under the unique situation in each individual case. Wilson v. Wilson, 241 Ga. 305 ( 245 SE2d 279 ) (1978). In contemplating a custodial change, the trial court must exercise its discretion to determine whether a change is in the best interests of the child. OCGA § 19-9-3. The circumstances warranting a change in custody are not confined to those of the custodial parent: any new and material change in circumstances that affects the child must also be considered. Handley v. Handley, 204 Ga. 57, 59 ( 48 SE2d 827 ) (1948). The law thus recognizes that because children are not immutable objects but living beings who mature and develop in unforeseeable directions, the initial award of custody may not always remain the selection that promotes the best interests of the child.”
3 later decisions quote this exact passagee.g. Bodne v. Bodne · Neal v. Hibbard“[t]he paramount concern in any change of custody must be the best interests and welfare of the minor child”
3 later decisions quote this exact passage“are utterly devoid of the flexibility necessary to adapt to the unique variables that arise in every case, variables that must be assessed in order to determine what serves the best interests and welfare of a child.”
2 later decisions quote this exact passage
How this case has been treated — in progress
Whether each later court followed, distinguished, criticized, or overruled this decision. The treatment classification (task #35) runs highest-cited cases first and lights up here as it reaches this one.