Married Women's right to own, buy and sell her separate property is finally granted in the Married Women's Property Act, 1882

Women Rights, Law

Paper

Married Women's Property Act, 1882. U.K. Robert George, Printed Act of Parliament. Unbound and stitched. In fair condition, on aged paper. Ownership signature of 'R. G. Underdown' (Railway, General Manager) at head of first page. Passed 18 August 1882. The ten pages of the act are preceded by a two page 'Arrangement of Sections', from '1. Married women to be capable of holding property and of contracting as a feme sole.' to '27. Short title.' A document of considerable historical significance. Scarce: no copies located on COPAC.

The Married Women's Property Act 1882 (45 & 46 Vict. c.75) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that significantly altered English law regarding the property rights of married women, which besides other matters allowed married women to own and control property in their own right. English law defined the role of the wife as a feme covert, emphasizing her subordination to her husband. Upon marriage, the husband and wife became one person under the law, as the property of the wife was surrendered to her husband, and her legal identity ceased to exist. Any personal property acquired by the wife during the marriage, unless specified that it was for her own separate use, went automatically to her husband. Women were often limited in what they could inherit. Males were more likely to receive real property (land). The Married Women's Property Act 1882 altered the common law doctrine of coverture to include the wife's right to own, buy and sell her separate property.[8] Wives' legal identities were also restored, as the courts were forced to recognize a husband and a wife as two separate legal entities.

Item #16001

Price: $400.00