Lenz v. Lenz’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

141 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 141 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “(1) assure that children will have frequent and continuing contact with parents who have shown an ability to act in the best interest of the child; (2) provide a safe, stable, and nonviolent environment for the child; and (3) encourage parents to share in the rights and duties of raising their child after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage.”

   15 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Sylvia Yolanda Arredondo v. Antonio A. Betancourt, Jr. · In the Interest of K.L.W.

2. “intensely fact driven, which is why courts have developed best-interest tests that consider and balance numerous factors.”

   6 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. In Re As · In Re JRD

3. “The best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the court in determining the issues of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child.”

   5 later decisions quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. In re Harrison · In Re As