the life estate which a husband has in the lands of his deceased wife, which by the common law takes effect where he has had issue by her, born alive, and capable of inheriting the lands
An archaic legal concept which gives a husband a legal interest in all or part of his deceased spouse's real property, irrespective of the contents of her will
A life estate, usually a fractional interest, given by some states to the surviving husband in real estate owned by his deceased wife Most states have abolished curtesy
A life estate (usually a fractional interest such as one-third) given by some state laws to the surviving husband in real estate owned by his deceased wife Most states have abolished curtesy
- In common law, the right of the surviving husband to a life estate in all of the real property left by his deceased wife A husband was entitled to curtesy only if the married couple had a child born alive
The common law interest that a husband acquires in his wife's property at the time of her death This right has been abolished by statute in some states, but where it exists a husband may be required to sign a mortgage deed in order to release his rights even if he will not be obligated on the mortgage loan
the life tenure which by common law is held by a man over the property of his deceased wife and has by her issue born alive who is capable of inheriting her estate; in this case, on the death of his wife, he holds the lands for his life, as tenant by courtesy