Legal Definitions - hypobolum

Definition: A hypobolum is a type of inheritance given to a wife after her husband dies. It is given in addition to her dowry, which is the money or property that a woman brings to her husband when they get married.

Examples: If a woman's husband dies and leaves her a hypobolum, she may receive money or property that was not included in her dowry. For example, if a woman's husband owned a house that was not part of her dowry, she may inherit that house as a hypobolum. Another example could be if her husband had a life insurance policy that named her as the beneficiary, she may receive the payout as a hypobolum.

The examples illustrate how a hypobolum is an additional inheritance given to a wife after her husband's death, separate from her dowry.