DOWER
dower (dow-<<schwa>>r). At common law, a wife’s right, upon her husband’s death, to a life
estate in one-third of the land that he owned in fee. • With few exceptions, the wife could not be
deprived of dower by any transfer made by her husband during his lifetime. Although most states
have abolished dower, many states retaining the concept have expanded the wife’s share to a life
estate in all the land that her husband owned in fee. — Also termed dowment; maritagium. Cf.
CURTESY. [Cases: Dower and Curtesy 1–118.C.J.S. Dower §§ 2–170.]
consummate dower (k<<schwa>>n-s<<schwa>>m-it orkahn-s<<schwa>>-mit). A wife’s
interest in her deceased husband’s estate until that interest is legally assigned to her. — Also
termed dower consummate. [Cases: Dower and Curtesy 54. C.J.S. Dower §§ 64–84.]
dower ad ostium ecclesiae (ad ahs-tee-<<schwa>>m e-klee-z[h]ee-ee), n.[Law Latin “dower
at the church door”] Hist. An endowment of dower made by a man to his wife at the church door
or porch, usu. as part of the marriage ceremony. [Blacks Law 8th]