Gordon v. Dickison

Citations

• 131 Ill. 141
• 23 N.E. 439

Syllabus

<p>1. Doweb—seizin in husband—to support claim, of dower. Possession ■of land under a claim of ownership affords prima facie evidence of seizin in fee. The fact that a party has had possession of land under claim of ownership, and has used it for several years, and finally sells and conveys the same, affords sufficient evidence of seizin to entitle his widow to dower therein.</p> <p>2. Same—after divorce for husband’s fault. A divorce granted to a wife on the ground of the husband’s desertion without cause, will not defeat her claim of dower in his lands after his death.</p> <p>3. Same—adultery by the wife—whether a bar to dower. Adultery by a wife after she has been wrongfully deserted and abandoned by her husband, will not have'the effect of barring her claim of dower in her husband’s lands. But if she voluntarily leaves her husband and commits adultery she will be barred.</p>