N.Y. Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law § 1024

§ 1024. Damages apportioned between heir and alienee. Where a widow\nrecovers dower in real property aliened by the heir of her husband, she\nmay recover, in a separate action against him, her damages for\nwithholding her dower, from the time of the death of her husband to the\ntime of the alienation, not exceeding six years in the whole. The sum\nrecovered from him must be deducted from the sum which she would\notherwise be entitled to recover from the grantee; and any sum recovered\nas damages from the grantee, must be deducted from the sum, which she\nwould otherwise be entitled to recover from the heir.\n