Legal Definitions - doctrine of spousal unity

The Doctrine of Spousal Unity is a legal concept that originated in common law. It refers to the idea that a husband and wife are considered a single legal entity. This means that the husband has complete control over all property and assets, and the wife has no legal rights to them.

For example, if a husband owned a house before getting married, under the Doctrine of Spousal Unity, the wife would have no legal claim to the property, even if they lived in it together for many years.

This doctrine was eventually challenged and changed through the Married Women's Property Acts, which gave women more legal rights to property and assets. Today, spouses are considered separate legal entities and have equal rights to property and assets acquired during the marriage.