Yates v. Yates’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

27 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 27 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “A district court's finding concerning a material change in circumstances is principally a factual determination to which we accord great deference.”

   7 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Jr v. Tlw · Roberts v. Vilos

2. “goal to be achieved is a reasonable balance of the rights and affections of each of the parents, with paramount consideration being given to the welfare and needs of the children.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Love v. Love · Jeffrey R. Arnott v. Paula a/k/a Polly A. Arnott

3. “(a) In granting a divorce or annulment of a marriage, the court may make such disposition of the children as appears most expedient and beneficial for the well-being of the children. * * * If the court finds that both parents have shown the ability to act in the best interest of the child, the court may order any arrangement that encourages parents to share in the rights and responsibilities of rearing their children ⅜ ⅜ * The court which entered the decree has continuing subject matter and personal jurisdiction to enforce or revise the decree concerning the care, custody, visitation and maintenance of the children as the circumstances of the parents and the benefit of the children requires. * * * The court shall consider' evidence of spouse abuse or child abuse as being contrary to the best interest of the child. (Emphasis added.)”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Cosner v. Ridinger