Legal Definitions - de dote unde nil habet

Definition: De dote unde nil habet is a legal term that refers to a writ ordering a tenant to provide a reasonable dower to a widow whose right to dower has been interfered with. This writ is also known as a writ of dower.

Example: If a widow's right to dower is being denied by a tenant, she can bring a writ of de dote unde nil habet against the tenant to recover a third part of the tenements in demand, to be set forth to her in severalty by metes and bounds, together with damages and costs.

This legal term is used in the context of property law and is important for understanding the rights of widows to dower. It is a complex legal term that may be difficult for middle school students to understand without further explanation.