The Married Women's Property Acts

The Married Women's Property Acts were a series of laws enacted in the late 19th century, particularly in the UK and the U.S., that allowed married women to own and manage property in their own right, independent of their husbands. Before these acts, a woman's property typically automatically belonged to her husband upon marriage. The Acts aimed to provide legal recognition of women's rights to own, inherit, and control their own assets, marking a significant step towards gender equality and women's economic independence. Over time, they contributed to broader social reforms regarding women's rights and status in society.