Which of the following is true of the right of a widow on a life estate?
A) The widow gets a one-third interest in fee simple, only in the real property owned by the testator during their marriage.
B) The widow has the right to a life estate in two-thirds of the lands owned by her husband at the time of his death.
C) The widow has the right to a life estate in half of the lands owned by her husband during their marriage.
D) The widow gets a one-third interest in fee simple in the real and personal property owned by her husband at the time of his death.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At common law, a widow had the right to a life estate in one-third of the lands owned by her husband during their marriage. This was known as a widow's dower right. A similar right for a widower was known as courtesy. A number of states have changed the right by statute to give a surviving spouse a one-third interest in fee simple in the real and personal property, owned by the deceased spouse at the time of the spouse's death.

Which of the Following Is True of the Right of a Widow