NY State — NY Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law

§ 1021 — SECTION 1021 Damages may be recovered; how estimated

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Statute text reproduced from nysenate.gov. Not attorney-reviewed for your situation — for reference only.

What is NY RPAPL § 1021?

Quick Answer

This section allows a widow to recover damages for withholding her dower in property, calculated as one-third of the annual value of mesne profits, with interest. The statute specifies the time frames for computing damages and limits the recovery period to six years. Applies to widows seeking dower in property previously owned by their deceased husbands.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 1021 SECTION 1021 Damages may be recovered; how estimated

RPAPL § 1021

Where a widow recovers, in an action therefor, dower in property, of which her husband died seized, she may also recover, in the same action, damages for withholding her dower, to the amount of one-third of the annual value of the mesne profits of the property, with interest; to be computed, where the action is against the heir, from her husband's death, or, where it is against any other person, from the time when she demanded her dower of the defendant; and in each case, to the time of the trial, or application for judgment, as the case may be; but not exceeding six years in the whole. The damages shall not include any thing for the use of permanent improvements, made after the death of the husband.

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