N.J. Stat. tit. 3A, ch. 36

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 3A:36-1 Action to recover dower or curtesy; damages

A widow or widower entitled to dower or curtesy in any real estate, who cannot have it without instituting an action, or whose right is unfairly assigned, or is not assigned within 40 days after the death of her or his spouse, may recover the same together with damages sustained upon until judgment by reason of the use and enjoyment thereof being unlawfully withheld; but as to real estate whereof her or his spouse was previously seized, but not seized at death, damages shall be recovered only from such time as she or he shall make demand upon the owner for dower or curtesy therein.

N.J. Stat. § 3A:36-2 Admeasurement.

3A:36-2. A widow or widower entitled to dower or curtesy in real estate whereof her or his spouse died seized, an heir, devisee, or guardian of a minor or incapacitated person entitled to an estate in the real estate, or a purchaser thereof, may institute an action in the Superior Court for the assignment to the widow or widower of her or his dower or curtesy therein. Amended 1991, c.91, s.149; 1997, c.379, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 3A:36-3 Where admeasurement cannot be had without prejudice; sale as in partition

3A:36-3. When the Superior Court determines that the real estate, or part thereof, is so circumstanced that dower or curtesy cannot be assigned, admeasured and set off without prejudice to the owners, it may direct a sale thereof as in an action for partition where actual partition cannot be had without prejudice to owners, or in its discretion it may direct an assignment of the dower or curtesy from the rents and profits of the real estate. The court may order the real estate sold free from dower or curtesy, making compensation for the value thereof. Amended 1991,c.91,s.150.

N.J. Stat. § 3A:36-4 Admeasurement when real estate is sold subject to dower or curtesy by judgment

3A:36-4. If real estate is lawfully sold by a sheriff, assignee in bankruptcy or other public officer, whereby an inchoate right of dower or curtesy does or shall remain, the purchaser shall have the right, in an action in the Superior Court to have one half part thereof, or such other part according to the law in force when the right or estate became vested, admeasured and set off as and for the dower or curtesy portion. Amended 1991,c.91,s.151.

N.J. Stat. § 3A:36-5 Effect of admeasurement

If the dower or curtesy estate becomes consummate after an admeasurement authorized by section 3A:36-4 of this title, the widow or widower shall have for her or his life the portion so admeasured, and the remaining portion of the real estate shall be held by the purchaser free and clear of all right or estate of dower or curtesy from the time of the judgment of the court so admeasuring, unless the same be set aside or reversed.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026