What is curtesy in real estate law?

Curtesy in real estate law refers to a legal right that provides a surviving husband an interest in the real estate owned by his deceased wife. Specifically, it grants the husband a life estate—a type of ownership that allows him to use the property and benefit from it for the duration of his life, provided certain conditions are met. This right is recognized in some jurisdictions and serves to protect the surviving spouse, ensuring that they have some security after the death of their partner. Curtesy typically applies if the couple was married when the wife passed away and if they had children together.

In distinguishing this concept from the other options, it's clear that curtesy is not related to property insurance, eviction processes, or financial agreements regarding repairs. These other concepts pertain to different aspects of real estate law and tenant rights, which do not align with the nature of curtesy as a right connected to the inheritance and ownership of property following a spouse's death.