Williams v. Woodruff’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

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

1. “The sole question in the appeal is whether or not the fact that the life tenant, Beatrice Dale, by meeting her death on November 2, 1968, started appellee's adverse possession running on that date, and, therefore, less than ten years prior to appellants' suit. In other words, did the approximately two year life estate of the life tenant prohibit adverse possession from running as to appellee? Appellants contend that appellee's possession during the life of the life tenant did not constitute adverse possession as it was not "hostile and exclusive" against the entire world, including the life tenant. We cannot agree with appellants' contention. Admittedly there is a scarcity of authorities on this question. However, we find in 31 C.J.S., Estates, section 66, page 136, the following: The possession of the life tenant may be adverse as against third persons so as to create a valid title by adverse possession in favor of the life tenant and the remaindermen or reversioner. See also Ray, et al v. Farrow, 211 Ala. 445 , 100 So. 868 (1924); Munro v. Whitlow, 54 Cal.App. 448 , 201 P. 964 (1921); Ryon, et al v. Commercial Bank, et al, 219 S.W. 652 (Mo. 1920). . . . . As hereinbefore set out, Beatrice Dale received a warranty deed from her mother on May 25, 1959, and resided on the property with her parents until their death in July, 1966. Upon execution and delivery of the deed to appellee the mother continued living with appellee and according to the finding of the chancellor, abundan”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 678 So. 2d 637 - Robertson v. Dombroski