In property law, what is a common characteristic of curtesy?

Curtesy is a legal right that traditionally grants a husband a life estate in his deceased wife's property, provided certain conditions are met, such as having children from the marriage. A defining characteristic of curtesy is that it specifically applies to men, differentiating it from other marital property rights such as dower, which pertains to women. This concept stems from historical practices in property law where inheritance rights were often gender-based, reflecting the legal and societal norms of the time.

The other options do not accurately describe curtesy. Tenancy agreements pertain more to rental situations rather than inheritance rights. The notion of spousal rights regarding property owned before marriage typically falls outside the realm of curtesy, as it generally addresses property acquired during the marriage. Lastly, curtesy is not limited to residential properties; it can apply to various types of real estate owned by the deceased spouse.