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

1. “The court shall determine custody in accordance with the best interests of the child. The court shall consider all relevant factors including: (1) The wishes of the child’s parents as to custody and the proposed parenting plan submitted by both parties; (2) The needs of the child for a frequent, continuing and meaningful relationship with both parents and the ability and willingness of parents to actively perform their functions as mother and father for the needs of the child; (3) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interests; (4) Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent, continuing and meaningful contact with the other parent; (5) The child’s adjustment to the child’s home, school, and community; (6) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved, including any his tory of abuse of any individuals involved .... (7) The intention of either parent to relocate the principal residence of the child; and (8) The wishes of a child as to child’s custodian.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Rader v. Anderson

2. “... [Wendy Pearson] has always been the primary caretaker of the minor child and has taken care of the child’s needs on a daily basis. ... [W]hile [Jayice Pearson] has become more involved in the minor child’s life recently, [his] work schedule, including weekends, and working for Metro Sports, are limiting factors to [his] ability to care for the child on a full time basis. ... [Wendy Pearson] is more likely to allow [Jayice Pearson] frequent and meaningful contact with the minor child. [Jayice Pearson] has made unilateral decisions regarding day care and other activities without consulting [Wendy Pearson]. ... [D]omestic violence has occurred between the parties, and the custody and visitation arrangement ordered by the [c]ourt best protects the child and each parent from any future harm. ... [T]he best interest of the minor child will be served by awarding the parties the joint legal custody of the minor child with [Wendy Pearson] awarded the primary residential custody of the minor child subject to [Jayice Pearson’s] right of specific visitation.”

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

3. “The court shall determine custody in accordance with the best interests of the child. The court shall consider all relevant factors including: [[Image here]] The mental and physical health of all individuals involved, including any history of abuse of any individuals involved. If the court finds that a pattern of domestic violence has occurred, and, if the court also finds that awarding custody to the abusive parent is in the best interest of the child, then the court shall enter written findings of fact and conclusions of law. Custody and visitation rights shall be ordered in a manner that best protects the child and the parent or other family or household member who is the victim of domestic violence from any further harm[J”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Huber Ex Rel. Boothe v. Huber