Curtsey is the widower's interest in the estate of his deceased wife.

• A. The widow's interest in her husband's estate
• B. The child's interest in estate
• C. The widower's interest in the estate of his deceased wife
• D. A life estate that ends on death

Answer: (C)

Curtesy refers to the widower’s life estate in his deceased wife’s real property. In traditional common law, when a wife died, a husband could acquire a life estate in her estate (provided there were legitimate children from the marriage) that lasts for the husband’s lifetime and terminates at his death. This distinguishes it from the widow’s dower rights in her husband’s estate and from any general guess about a life estate that ends on death, because curtesy is specifically tied to the husband’s interest in his wife’s property.

So, the statement describes the correct concept: the widower’s interest in the estate of his deceased wife. The other options point to different relationships—one to the widow’s right in her husband’s property, another to a child’s interest, and another to a generic life estate—none of which capture the specific spouse-based life estate known as curtesy.