Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-02-15

AN ACT BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.
Be q enacted BY TIA Senate and House Of
Rsprs&itdtives Of the State Of Delaware,
in Gentrdl Assembly met,
SECTIos /. That the real and personal
property Of any female, who may here
after marry, and which she shall own, at
the time of her marriage, or that any
female now married may have, or may
receiyesby gin, grant, devise, or bequest,
IRON any person other than her husband,
shall be her sole and separate property;
and the reuts, Issues, ahd profits thereof
shall not be subject to the disposal of hsr
husband, nor liable for his debts.
Section 2. That the husband shall not
be liable for the debts of his wife except
so far as he may have been placed in
possession and control Of her property
but all debts contracted before marriage
BY the wife, or by her authority after mar
riage, shall be charge on her real aud
personal property and judgment there
for may be recovered against her in her
name.
SECTION 8. That any married woman
may receive the wages of her personal
labor not performed for her family main
tain an action therefor in her own name,
and hold them In her own right against
her husband, or any other p rson; she
may dtpasit the came, or any other money
belonging to her, in her own name in any
bank, savings bank, or other Institution
for the safe keeping Of money, subject to
her sole right and authority to withdraw
the same, In whole or in part, at any time
without the consent or control Of her hus-
band and upon the payment To her by
any bank, savings bank, or other institu-
! ton for the safe keeping Of money, of any
moneys so deposited, they shall be exon
Grated from any further liability therefor.
SECTION 4. That any married woman
may prosecute and defend suits at law Of
10 equity for the preservation and protec-
! ton Of her property. as If unmarried or
may do 1t Jointly with her husband but
he alone cannot maintain an action re-
spectng his wife's property and il shall
be lawful for any married woman to MAKE
any and all manner Of contracts necessary
TO be made with respect TO her own prop
erly, and suits may be maintained on sncl
contracts as though the PARTY making
them was a femme sole.
SECTION 8. That any married woman o
the age of tWenty-one years and upward
may dispose Of her properly, both real ant
personal, By will but such disposal shal
not effect The rights Of her husband a
tenant by the courtesy and If she di
intestata her property, both real and Per
sonal, shall descend to heirs. as now pro
vided by law, and administration an,
distribution shall take place accordingly
but a husband and wife, by a marriag
contract, executed In the presence of tw
witnesses before marriage. may determiu
what rights each shall have in the other
! estate during marriage and alter its disc
, luton by death, and may bar each otht
OF oil right in their respective estates nc
so secdTed to them.
SECTION 8. That any married woma
: may release to her husband the right /
control her property, or any part of tan
to dispose of the income thereof for the
mutual beneft,and may, in writing, revol
the same.
SECTION Z. That all acts and parts {
acts inconsistent with this act be and the
' are hereby repealed