Which method verifies a source's current good-law status?

• A. Citators (Shepard/KeyCite), check for subsequent appellate decisions, statutory amendments, and updated citations.
• B. Review the author’s credentials and affiliation.
• C. Rely solely on memory of prior advisory opinions.
• D. Consult a single older reporter without updates.

Answer: (C)

To know if a source remains good law, you must see how it has been treated by later authorities. Citators such as Shepard's and KeyCite are built for this purpose. They track subsequent appellate decisions, statutory amendments, and other updates that cite the source, showing whether it still stands as good law or has been overruled, distinguished, or questioned. Relying on memory of past advisory opinions can miss later developments that change status. Checking only an author's credentials or consulting a single older reporter doesn’t reveal current authority status, since those don’t reflect subsequent changes in the law. Using a citator to verify current good-law status is the most reliable approach.