dower

A law which would give a widow a legal right to some or all of the property of her late husband. Very few places still have laws which require this. When it was practiced, a dower was either determined before a wedding, or a set percentage was required by law. A common dower was one-third of the husband's property. Dowers were often practiced as a way for the wife to be able to take care of herself and her children after the husband's death.