A wife in Virginia had a right to one-third of all lands and tenements
that the husband owned at any time during the marriage. However, if her
husband left her property in his will and she accepted the conditions of
the will she lost her right to claim her "thirds" under the law. She
could choose to reject the will and claim her thirds instead.

See St. George Tucker, Blackstone’s Commentaries: With Notes of
Reference to the Constitution and Laws, of the Federal Government of the
United States; and of the Commonwealth of Virginia, vol. 3 (1803;
reprint, Union, N.J.: The Lawbook Exchange, 1996), 129-139.

Barbara Vines Little, CG
Dominion Research Services
PO Box 1273
Orange, VA 22960

540-832-3473 (7-10 p.m.; all day Sunday)
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Judith B. Gabor wrote:

> Could someone briefly describe the dower system in England and VA,
> especially the dates when it came into being in each location?
>
> If one dies intestate today, does it still apply?
>
> Thanks very much - J. B. Gabor
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
> at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
>
>

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