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creditors. The husband is not liable for the wife's debts contracted before marriage. By act of 1904 the husband, on the death of the wife, is entitled to an estate similar to dower.

MASSACHUSETTS.

The real and personal property of a woman on her marriage remains her separate property; and a married woman may receive, receipt for, hold, manage, and dispose of property, real and personal, as if she were sole, except that unless the husband joins in her deed, his statutory rights in her estate in case of her death, or curtesy, will subsist. She may make contracts as though she were sole, except with her husband. In the absence of express agreement, all work or labor performed by her is presumed to be on her separate account. Husband and wife cannot transfer property to one another, except that the wife may acquire by a gift from her husband as her separate property articles of personal use and adornment to a value of not more than two thousand dollars, provided such gift be not made in fraud of creditors. A married woman may be an executrix, administratrix, guardian, or trustee. She may sue and be sued as though sole. When a married woman proposes to do business on her separate account, she shall record in the clerk's office of the town or city in which such business is to be carried on a certificate setting forth her name and that of her husband, the nature of the business and the place where it is to be carried on. When the nature of the business or place of carrying it on is changed, a new certificate shall be filed. If she fails to record such certificates her husband may do so. If such certificates be not recorded the property employed in the business is liable to be attached as the property of the husband, and the husband is liable for contracts made in carrying on the business. With these exceptions, the husband is not liable for contracts made by the wife in reference to her separate property or business, nor is her property liable to be taken on execution against him.

The rights of husband and wife in each other's property on the decease of either are now by statute substantially the same. Widow may have dower as at common law and husband may have curtesy consisting of the income of one-third of the wife's real estate for life whether issue be born or not. Dower or curtesy must be claimed within one year, and if claimed excludes all other claims to the real estate of the deceased. In the case of intestacy, if dower or curtesy be not claimed the survivor takes one-third of the real estate of the deceased in fee if there be issue surviving, if none, then one-half; if no kindred, the whole. Survivor is entitled to one-third of the personal property of the deceased absolutely if there be surviving issue; if no issue, to $5,000 and one-half of the excess; if no kindred, to the whole. If the personal property be less than $5,000 enough real estate may be taken to make up the deficiency and the remainder of the real estate only divided as above. A married woman may make a will as though sole, but the husband may within one year waive the provisions of the will in his favor and take the same share in her estate as though she had died intestate, except that if he would thus take more than $10,000 he will receive only the income of the excess above that amount. The wife has the same rights in case the husband leaves a will; but by act of March 6, 1906, the probate court may, upon a petition in a proper case, decree that the husband has been deserted by the wife or is living apart for justifiable cause, and thereafter the wife shall not be entitled to waive the provision of a will made by him.

An estate of homestead cannot be released unless the wife joins.

MICHIGAN.

In MICHIGAN, all the real and personal estate of a married woman, whether acquired before marriage or after, is her separate property, free from

liability for her husband's debts, and she may sell, convey, encumber, or otherwise dispose of the same as if sole, and she may bequeath the same by will. She may carry on business in her own name, and may make contracts binding her separate estate, but only in reference to her own property and business. She cannot bind her separate estate by becoming surety for her husband or other third person. She has the same right of dower as at common law, and may bar her right of dower by joinihg in her husband's deed. Tenancy by the curtesy is abolished. All contracts (except of marriage) may be made at twenty-one years. Marriage contracts can be made at sixteen.

MINNESOTA.

In MINNESOTA, all property, real or personal, owned by any married woman at her marriage, or received afterwards, is her own, as if unmarried, and is free from the control of her husband, and is not liable for his debts, but is liable for necessaries furnished to the family. She may make any contract she could make if unmarried, and any transfer of her property, except that the husband must join in the deed of her homestead, and unless he joins in her deed he will retain one-third interest under the statutory provision. Neither husband nor wife is liable for the debts or torts of the other, except that the husband is liable for necessaries furnished to the wife as at common law. Either may be the agent of the other, or contract with the other, except as to the sale of real estate from one to the other. In case of desertion or divorce, or when the husband has been for one year insane, the wife may convey her real estate as if sole, but in the latter case approval of husband's guardian, if any, is required. A woman attains her majority at eighteen, but may join her husband in deeds of conveyance though under age. Dower and curtesy are abolished. Surviving husband or wife is entitled to the homestead of the deceased for life, or in fee if there be no children, free from debts, and to one-third of the remaining real estate in fee, free from any testamentary or other disposition not assented to in writing by the survivor, but subject to debts.

MISSISSIPPI.

In MISSISSIPPI, married women may acquire, hold, sell, bequeath, and in all other respects deal with their property, and may make all kinds of contracts free from any of the common law disabilities. Gifts and conveyances between husband and wife must, however, be in writing, acknowledged and recorded. Curtesy and dower are abolished. The surviving wife or husband takes an equal share with the children severally, and, where there is no surviving issue, takes the whole property in fee.

MISSOURI.

The real estate of a married woman and the income there from are not subject to the husband's debts, nor can he dispose of such estate unless she join with him in conveying it. But the annual products of her real estate are liable for necessaries for the family and improvements on such estate. She may devise her real and personal estate, but not so as to affect his curtesy, and he cannot deprive her of her right to dower. All personal property acquired in any way by a married woman after March, 1875, is her separate property, free from her husband's debts, except for necessaries for herself and family. She may sue and be sued in reference to such property without joining her husband. She may make contracts in her own name which will bind her separate property, real and personal. Her separate property, left to her by will before or after marriage, is not liable for her husband's debts. Females are of full age at eighteen years.

MONTANA.

In MONTANA, the property of a married woman, whether acquired before or after marriage, and her earnings and accumulations are her separate property, and are not liable for debts of the husband except for necessaries for herself and children under eighteen years of age. A list of such property may be recorded with the county clerk and is prima facie evidence of her title. She may prosecute and defend suits, and may convey her separate property without consent of husband. Husband must support wife and family if able; if not, she must assist to the extent of her ability. Neither husband nor wife has any interest in the property of the other, and neither is answerable for the acts of the other. Either may enter into any transaction with the other or with any other person respecting property, as though unmarried. Widow has dower in one-third of all lands of which husband was seized during coverture. If he leave no issue she may elect in lieu of dower one-half of his real estate in fee, subject to payment of debts. Curtesy is abolished. A married woman may make a will, but cannot without husband's consent deprive him of more than two-thirds of her property, real and personal.

NEBRASKA.

In NEBRASKA, all the property, real or personal, of a married woman coming to her either before or after marriage, except by gift from her husband, and all the rents and profits thereof, are her sole and separate property, and may be managed by her alone, with interference by her husband, and they are not liable for his debts. She may convey or make any contract in reference to it that a married man may make as to his property; may sue and be sued, and carry on any business; and her earnings are her own. She may make a will; is not liable for her husband's debts; property of the husband is not liable for her debts. She must join with husband in conveyance or encumbrance of homestead. Women attain their majority at sixteen if married, otherwise at eighteen.

NEVADA.

In NEVADA, all property of the wife, real or personal, held at marriage, or afterwards acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent, is her separate property; and all the husband's so held or acquired is his separate property. All property acquired otherwise by either party, after marriage, is common property. She may manage and dispose of her separate property without his consent. During the marriage the husband has the exclusive control and management of the common property, and may sell and dispose of the same as his own, but any conveyance or mortgage of homestead must be executed by both husband and wife. At her death, if he survive her, all of the common property goes to him. If she survive him, at his death, half of the common property goes to her; and in case of no testamentary disposition and no issue, she takes the whole. Dower and curtesy are abolished. The separate property of the wife is liable for her antenuptial debts, but his is not. Marriage contracts, duly executed and recorded, may vary these rights and interMarried women may carry on and transact business under their own name, under certain regulations. Her earnings are not liable for her husband's debts; they may contract together; she may sue and be sued alone if living separate.

ests.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

In NEW HAMPSHIRE, a married woman may hold real or personal estate, and convey, sell, devise, and bequeath the same as freely as if sole. She is entitled to the absolute control of her own earnings, and is not liable for the debts of the husband. She may make contracts in her own name, buy goods, give notes, and transact any business whatever, as if sole, and bind her own property, in the course of such business, for her own benefit, and without the intervention of the husband; but she is not liable as surety for her husband, or in any undertaking in his behalf. He is not liable for her debts contracted before marriage. In case of desertion, or when the husband is a spendthrift, insane, or under guardianship, the wife has all the rights of a feme sole. A married woman may make a will. Either may convey real estate directly to the other. Dower and curtesy as at common law.

NEW JERSEY.

Property owned by a woman at the time of her marriage, or afterwards acquired by gift, grant, descent, devise, or bequest, and the income therefrom, is her separate property, not subject to the disposal of her husband, or liable for his debts. She may bind herself by contract in the same manner as though unmarried, and may sue and be sued on such contracts without her husband, but she cannot be an accommodation endorser or a surety, nor is she liable, on any promise, to answer for the debt or default of any other person. She cannot convey or encumber real estate without her husband; but a married woman having power to convey as executrix, administratrix, trustee, or guardian, may make a valid deed without husband's signature. If she is living in state of separation under a decree or without a decree, if there is no issue, she may convey certain interests in certain lands. Her separate property is not liable for debts contracted for the support of herself or family as her husband's agent, nor is she liable for family expenses, except by express contract in her own name. When a man refuses or neglects to support his wife, and she lives separate from him, she may, by order of court, sell, mortgage, or lease her lands, and may sue her husband in all matters relating to her separate property, as though unmarried. A married woman may make a will, but cannot defeat her husband's rights in her real estate. Dower as at common law. Majority at twenty-one.

NEW MEXICO.

All property acquired in any manner by either husband or wife before or during marriage is his or her separate estate and liable for his or her separate contracts, debts, or torts. Neither is liable for the contracts or torts of the other except contracts for necessaries furnished the wife, husband, or family. All married persons have the same property rights, power to convey or contract, and to sue and be sued as unmarried persons, except that neither husband nor wife can convey or mortgage any real estate acquired during coverture by onerous title (i. e. not by gift, bequest, devise, or descent) unless both join in the execution of the instrument, or dispose by will of more than one-half of his or her property acquired during coverture by onerous title, and no contract between them affecting the property of either is valid unless in writing duly acknowledged and recorded. Except as above either may dispose of his or her property by will. On the death of either the survivor inherits one-half of that part of the deceased acquired during marriage by onerous title, and one-fourth of the remaining portion if not disposed of by will, or the whole if there be no surviving children. Females under eighteen cannot marry without consent of parent or guardian.

NEW YORK.

The real and personal property of any woman acquired before or after marriage remains her separate property, not liable for her husband's debts. Marriage contracts are allowed. She may carry on a trade or business on her separate account, may manage her property and business free from the control of her husband, and may dispose of her real or personal estate. Her bargains do not bind her husband. She may sue and be sued in regard to her person or separate property. By act of 1906 she may bring suit on torts without joining her husband. Transfers of real estate may be made directly between husband and wife and they may contract with one another. Her husband is liable for her antenuptial debts to the extent of the assets received from her. A policy of insurance on the life of any one in her favor may with consent of the insured be assigned. She may hold patents for her inventions, and may vote on stock held by her. She may be a guardian, executrix, or administratrix, and may give the necessary bonds. She may make a will of personal property at sixteen; of real property at twenty-one. She may make a power of attorney as if single. Age of consent to marriage is eighteen.

NORTH CAROLINA.

All the property, real and personal, of a married woman, whether acquired before or after marriage, is her separate property, and is not liable for the debts or obligations of her husband. Marriage settlements are invalid as against creditors existing at the time of the making the same. Her husband is not liable for her debts, contracts, or wrongs, made or committed before marriage. She cannot make contracts without her husband's written consent, except for necessary personal expenses, or for the support of the family, or in payment of antenuptial debts, unless she is a free-trader. A wife abandoned by her husband may contract and bind her separate estate. The savings from the income of the separate property of the wife belong to her. She may make a will, provided she do not deprive her husband of his curtesy, and may convey her property with his written consent. She may insure his life for her benefit, if the premium do not exceed three hundred dollars. Females are of age at twenty-one.

NORTH DAKOTA.

A married woman may own in her own right real and personal property, and manage, sell, convey, and devise the same as freely as though unmarried. She may make contracts and sue and be sued thereon. Neither husband nor wife has any interest in the property of the other, or is answerable for the other's acts. Husband and wife may make contracts with each other respecting property as though unmarried. The earnings or separate property of the wife are not liable for the debts of the husband. Women attain their majority at eighteen. Curtesy and dower are abolished.

OHIO.

Al property, real or personal, belonging to a woman at her marriage, or afterwards acquired by conveyance, gift, devise, or inheritance, or by purhase with her separate money or means, or due as wages of her personal bor, or growing out of any violation of her personal rights, together with the income therefrom, is her separate property, is under her sole control, and not liable for any debts of her husband. She may sue and be sued in her ❤ance, and may contract in the same manner and to the same extent as though unmarried. Husband and wife may contract with each other. A