Legal Definitions - de quarantina habenda

Definition: De quarantina habenda is a historical legal term that refers to a writ that orders a sheriff to give a widow possession of part of her husband's estate. This happens after she has been wrongfully ejected but before dower is assigned.

Example: If a widow is kicked out of her home after her husband's death, she can use de quarantina habenda to regain possession of her property before dower is assigned.

This legal term is not commonly used today, but it was important in the past to protect widows from being unfairly deprived of their property rights.