Privy examination facts for kids

A privy examination was a special legal step in the United States. It was also called a "separate examination." This rule helped married women who wanted to sell their property. A judge or a justice of the peace would meet with the woman alone. They would ask her if her husband was pressuring her to sign the papers. This was done to make sure she was making her own choice.

What Was a Privy Examination?

A privy examination was a way to protect married women's rights. In the past, when a married woman owned land or property, she often needed her husband's permission to sell it. This rule made sure she wasn't being forced. It was a private meeting, just the woman and a legal official.

Why Was This Rule Important?

This practice came from old English laws. It was created to protect married women's property. Sometimes, a husband might try to make his wife sell her property against her will. The privy examination was designed to prevent this. It gave women a chance to say "no" in private.

How Did a Privy Examination Work?

When a married woman wanted to sell her property, she would meet with a judge or a justice of the peace. Her husband was not allowed to be in the room during this meeting. The official would ask her if she was signing the document freely. They wanted to know if anyone was forcing her. If she said she was being pressured, the sale could not go through.

When Did Privy Examinations End?

This legal practice was common in the United States for a long time. Many states continued to require privy examinations. Some states even kept this rule until the late 1900s. Over time, laws changed to give married women more control over their own property. Because of these changes, the privy examination became less necessary.