What does dower refer to in property law?

In property law, dower specifically refers to the legal right that a wife has in her husband's estate upon his death. This concept originated to provide financial security for widows, ensuring they have access to a portion of their husband's property after his passing. Dower rights typically grant the wife a life estate in one-third of the husband's real estate, which means she can use and benefit from that property for the duration of her life, even if her husband had not made provisions for her in his will.

This concept contrasts with other forms of property rights, such as joint ownership, which pertains to both parties having equal claim to property during their marriage, or community property rights, which involve the equal ownership of assets acquired during a marriage.