Legal Definitions - paraphernal property

Paraphernal property is a type of property that belongs solely to a wife and is not under the control of her husband. It is also known as extradotal property. This property is separate from the dowry that a wife brings to a marriage.

For example, if a wife inherits a house from her parents, that house would be considered paraphernal property because it is solely owned and controlled by the wife. The husband has no claim to it.

Another example of paraphernal property is a business that a wife starts and runs on her own. The profits and assets of the business would be considered paraphernal property because they are not shared with the husband.