Property Ownership

In New York, a 'dower right' (historically, the right of a wife to a life estate in one-third of her husband's real property) was:

AExpanded by the NY Human Rights Law in 2002
BAbolished in New York; surviving spouses' rights are now governed by the right of election under the EPTL✓ Correct
CStill in force for properties acquired before 1975
DOnly applicable to rural properties in upstate New York

Explanation

New York abolished the common law doctrines of dower and curtesy (the equivalent for husbands). Surviving spouses' rights are now governed by New York Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL) section 5-1.

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