Regime Dotal

In French law. The dot, being the property which the wife brings to the husband as her contribution to the support of the burdens of the marriage, and which may either extend as well to future as to present property, or be expressly confined to the present property of the wife, is subject to certain regulations which are summarized in the phrase "regime dotal," The husband has the entire administration during the marriage; but, as a rule, where the dot consists of immovables, neither the husband nor the wife, nor both of them together, can either sell or mortgage it. The dot is returnable upon the dissolution of the marriage, whether ^ by death or otherwise.

Brown.