What term describes the right of a spouse to inherit property after the other spouse dies?

The term that describes the right of a spouse to inherit property after the other spouse dies is "Dower." Dower refers specifically to the portion of a deceased husband’s estate that is allotted to his widow, usually one-third of the estate, which provides financial support to the surviving spouse. This legal concept has historical significance in property law and is designed to ensure that the surviving spouse has a claim to a part of the marital property, thereby safeguarding their financial security after the partner's death.

In contrast, curtesy pertains to the rights of a husband in his deceased wife's property, which includes a life estate in her real property under certain conditions. Reversion relates to a property interest that returns to the original owner after a certain condition is met or a specified period expires. Possession simply describes the control or occupancy of a property but does not inherently involve inheritance rights. Thus, the correct answer is rooted in the specific legal definition associated with spousal rights in inheritance situations.