M. v. F.’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

8 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 9 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Proceedings to enforce the obligations imposed by section 9:16-2 of this title may be maintained by one parent against the other, or by the person having physical custody of the child, or, if the child is or is likely to become a public charge, the proceedings may be instituted by the director of welfare of the municipality or municipalities where the father and mother, or either of them, reside. In such proceedings consideration shall be given to the age of the child and the ability and financial condition of the parent or parents.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. B. v. O. · M. v. F.

2. “It [ chapter 16] is an entirely new and different kind of statutory remedy, additional to the strict bastardy proceeding permitted by chapter 17. The purpose of such a chapter 16 proceeding is to compel, in a civil action for support, a father adequately to support his illegitimate child. The fact that the child may or may not be or become a public charge is immaterial; the child is still entitled to adequate support from its father. The amount of support to be granted by the court is not limited, as in chapter 17 proceedings to an amount required to keep the child off the public relief rolls. The child is entitled to `support and education * * * to the same extent as if born in lawful wedlock' ( N.J.S.A. 9:16-2) and `consideration shall be given to the age of the child and the ability and financial condition of the parent or parents.' ( N.J.S.A. 9:16-3.) In short, the child is entitled to adequate support commensurate with his needs and the financial condition of his parents just as in a proceeding for the support of a child born in wedlock. Cf. R.R. 6:5-4( b ). Such an action under chapter 16 is like any other civil action for the support of a child, except that the defendant must first be proved in the action to be the father of the child.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. M. v. F.

3. “(a) In an action for support brought by an assistance agency any support that may be directed to be paid shall, as near as practicable, conform to the standards of assistance established by or for the plaintiff agency. (b) In all other actions for support the court in fixing the amount of any support that may be directed to be paid shall take into account the needs and requirements of the plaintiff and the ability of the defendant to pay, following, insofar as practicable, the practice of the Superior Court in like matters.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. M. v. F.