The widow's property rights are known as what?

• A. Dower
• B. Remainder and Reversion
• C. Usufruct
• D. Right of Habitation

Answer: (A)

The widow's rights to her deceased husband's real property are called dower. Dower typically gives the widow a life estate in a portion of the husband's real property (commonly about one-third), providing support for her after his death. This concept focuses on the survivor's ongoing interest in the deceased spouse's estate, rather than a future or non-spousal right.

Remainder and reversion are future interests that take effect when a particular estate ends, not tied to a surviving spouse’s right. Usufruct is a use-right that lets someone enjoy the benefits of another's property without owning it, a concept more common in civil-law contexts. The right of habitation is a more limited right to live in the home, which may be included in some dower arrangements but does not itself describe the widow’s broader property entitlement.