Orke v. Olson’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

20 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. “When initially awarding custody, the trial judge determines the single issue of the child's best interests. Sec. 14-09-06.1, N.D.C.C. When modifying custody, the trial judge must determine two issues: whether or not there has been a significant change of circumstances since the original... custody [placement] and, if so, whether or not those changed circumstances are such that a change in custody fosters the best interests of the child.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Matter of Guardianship of Nelson · Seigneur v. Olson

2. ““Consecutive determinations about custody cannot change custody back and forth as the scales settle slightly toward first one parent and then the other as their circumstances change. The concept cannot be so erratic. ‘We have recognized that it is not in the best interests of a child to unnecessarily change custody and bandy the child back and forth between the parents.’ ””

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Reede v. Steen · Starke v. Starke

3. “`[b]efore a change of custody can be deemed necessary for the best interests of the child, there must be some consideration of the effect of the change on the child.'”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Hill v. Weber