Curtesy Definition

Definition Of Curtesy:

nUnder the common law, a husband's entitlement to a life estate in all the land that his wife possessed at her death in either fee simple or fee tail, provided the couple had a living child who was capable of inheriting his or her mother's estate.

This right has been abolished in most states. See also dower.curtesy consummateThe name of a husband's right of curtesy after his wife's death.curtesy initiateThe name of a husband's right of curtesy before his wife's death, once the right is created upon the birth of the couple's first child.Other definition of Curtesy- A common law right of a husband to the estate and property of his deceased wife.Also known as statutory share, the rights apply to the man if a child was born during the lifetime of the marriage.Whena man's spouse dies,he becomes the beneficiary of her assets. For the right of curtesy to be established, the couple must have born a child during the time of their marriage. The child must be eligible to inherithis mother'sestate upon its maturity. The husband who inherits the estate may use it until his death, however, hemay not sell or transfer its ownership to any person other than this child.

Definition Of Curtesy:

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