Ford v. Ford’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

68 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 68 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “`To constitute a conversion of real estate into personal, in the absence of an actual sale, it must be made the duty of, and obligatory upon, the trustees to sell it in any event. Such conversion rests upon the principle that equity considers that as done which ought to have been done. A mere discretionary power of selling produces no such result.' [ White v. Howard, 46 N. Y. 144, 162 .] . . .”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Thurwachter v. City of Waukesha · Estate of Hustad

2. ““ * * * He directs, in effect, that the several pieces of land mentioned shall be so converted as soon as practicable after his death. Is such purpose to be frustrated merely by adding ‘at schedule prices, or as much better as may be?’ On the contrary, were not those words added as a guide to his executor, or for the purpose of stimulating purchasers to pay a larger price ? * * * >>”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. White v. Wyoming National Bank of Casper

3. ““What has been thus said is not by way of determining the validity of the title to any lands outside of Wisconsin, nor the validity of any investment or trust in or tenure of such lands, but merely to ascertain the meaning and intent of the testator from the language employed in the will, which, as we have seen, is a duty devolving upon this jurisdiction.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Ford v. Ford