Legal Definitions - dower

Definition: Dower is an old-fashioned term that describes how a widow would inherit her husband's property if he died without a will. In the past, the wife would receive a life estate of one-third to one-half of her husband's property. Curtesy referred to the separate rights of the husband, but now the rights of the wife and husband are the same in the U.S.

Example: If John passed away without a will, his wife Mary would be entitled to a portion of his property through dower. She would receive a life estate of one-third to one-half of John's property, depending on the state they lived in.

Explanation: This example illustrates how dower works in practice. If a husband dies without a will, his wife is entitled to a portion of his property through dower. This ensures that the wife is taken care of after her husband's passing.