curtesy legal definition

Under the common law, a husbandÂ’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 motherÂ’s estate. This right has been abolished in most states. See also dower.

The name of a husbandÂ’s right of curtesy after his wifeÂ’s death.

The name of a husbandÂ’s right of curtesy before his wifeÂ’s death, once the right is created upon the birth of the coupleÂ’s first child.