Vaughan v. Compton’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

2 federal appellate · 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 20 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““It may be conceded that when property is devised in general terms, and without the use of any qualifying words denoting that a specific quantum as to estate is being conveyed, that such estate may be later limited or converted to a life estate by the further use of other words or clauses implying that of necessity the estate granted is only for the life of devisee, with a remainder over to certain named others. Burnet v. Burnet, 244 Mo. 491 , 148 S.W. 872 , and cases cited. But such a limitation over must clearly appear, and the expressions and words used to denote such limitation over must be not only free from ambiguity but must exclude any other construction. Middleton v. Dudding, supra. The intention to create an estate subject to a condition or qualification ‘must be definitely and clearly shown by the use of apt and sufficient words’ not inconsistent with the other words of the instrument.” (Emphasis supplied).”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 261 F. Supp. 634 - Neagle v. Johnson