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]