Page 97 - The Circle of Life

Empire. I simply don't have an Empire to trade for her but if I did I would have

done so on the spot.

Seriously, the dowry was never meant as an unconditional gift but to take care

of the bride. As such the stepchildren had no automatic right to it and if the
couple was childless (barren is a word which I think is hurtful) the dowry was

returned to her family after death. That is unless she wanted her surviving
husband to inherit it and then only if he had nothing to do with her death.

I understand that the dowry system is a big deal in Asia but whether it is part of

their legal systems I would not know. My knowledge is mostly of African and
English law. I dare say as with all things in life it started off as a good idea and

then was abused into what it is today where status in the community is linked to
it. Hence I just cannot see it disappearing and the woman will be abused until it

is paid. Really a bad situation all around and I understand in Nepal it is totally
prohibited in law whilst in India a couple of thousand women are murdered every

year because of a lack of payment from the family.

Out of Community of Property

The only way you can marry out of community and avoid the above nonsense

and retain control as a human being over you own life is to see a Notary Public
(an attorney) before you get married and sign an antenuptial agreement. Don't

be surprised if he starts talking divorce proceedings at this stage. It only means
he is good and carries your interests at heart. Be worried if he does not for that

means he is giving you a standard agreement of the shelf which is a deadly sin.

Out of community without the accrual system means you keep what is yours and

he what is his regardless of any growth in your estates through the years of
marriage. You cannot be held liable for each other's debts unless you stand

surety (never) and you have to support each other financially as do all spouses if
one is broke. I will never advise you not to have the accrual system.

Let us look at the antenuptial agreement.

Antenuptial Agreements

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