Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

curtesy

noun

/ˈkɜːrtəsi/

Definition

A legal term that refers to the right of a husband to inherit his deceased wife’s property during her lifetime, usually upon her death.

Examples

After her death, he secured his curtesy rights to her estate in accordance with the law.
Curtesy gives a husband legal claims to his wife’s property under specific conditions.

Meaning

Curtesy is often related to the widow’s right of dower but applies to husbands; it allows a surviving husband to claim a life interest in his wife’s estate if they had children together.