The property which a woman brings to her husband In marriage; now more commonly called a “portion.”By dowry is meant the effects which the wife brings to the husband to support the expenses of marriage. Civil Code La. art. 2337.This word expresses the proper meaning of the “dos” of the Roman, the “dot” of theFrench, and the “dote” of the Spanish law, but is a very different thing from “dower,”with which it has sometimes been confounded.By dowry, in the Louisiana Civil Code, is meant the effects which the wife brings to the husband to support the expenses of marriage. It is given to the husband, to be enjoyed by him so long as the marriage shall last, and the income of it belongs to him.He alone has the administration of it during marriage, and his wife cannot deprive him of it. The real estate settled as dowry is inalienable during marriage, unless the marriage contract contains a stipulation to the contrary. De Young v. De Young, 6 La.Ann. 786.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
