98 Wis. 2d 44 - DeWitt v. DeWitt’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

40 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 44 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “The potential for inequity to the failed professional or one who changes careers is at once apparent; his or her spouse will have been awarded a share of something which never existed in any real sense. [Id.]”

   5 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. In RE MARRIAGE OF MEYER v. Meyer · 182 N.J. Super. 598 - Mahoney v. Mahoney

2. “An educational degree ... is simply not encompassed even by the broad views of the concept of “property.” It does not have an exchange value or any objective transferable value on an open market. It is personal to the holder. It terminates on death of the holder and is not inheritable. It cannot be assigned, sold, transferred, conveyed, or pledged. An advanced degree is a cumulative product of many years of previous education, combined with diligence and hard work. It may not be acquired by the mere expenditure of money. It is simply an intellectual achievement that may potentially assist in the future acquisition of property ... it has none of the attributes of property in the usual sense of that term.”

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. 103 Wis. 2d 327 - Holbrook v. Holbrook · 182 N.J. Super. 598 - Mahoney v. Mahoney

3. “[t]he contribution by one party to the education, training, or increased earning power of the other party.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. 139 Wis. 2d 778 - Marriage of Richardson v. Richardson · 339 Pa. Super. 559 - Lehmicke v. Lehmicke