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) [log in to unmask] 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 > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html