Legal Definitions - adventitia dos

Adventitia dos refers to a dowry—a gift of property or money traditionally given by a bride's family to her husband upon marriage—that originates from someone other than the bride's direct father or the head of her immediate household (known as the paterfamilias in historical civil law systems). This term distinguishes such a dowry from one provided by the bride's legal father.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Dowry from a Grandparent

  Imagine a scenario where a bride's paternal grandmother, who possesses her own significant personal wealth, decides to provide the entire dowry for her granddaughter's marriage. The bride's father is alive but the grandmother wishes to contribute directly.

  This would be considered an adventitia dos because the dowry is not coming from the bride's father (the traditional paterfamilias), but from another family member—the grandmother.

• Example 2: Dowry from an Uncle or Guardian

  Consider a young woman whose parents have passed away. Her wealthy maternal uncle, who has been her legal guardian and supported her throughout her life, arranges and provides the dowry for her wedding from his own assets.

  This situation exemplifies an adventitia dos because the dowry is furnished by the uncle, who, while a family member and guardian, is not the bride's biological father or the traditional head of her immediate household in the context of a paterfamilias.

• Example 3: Dowry from the Bride's Own Inherited Wealth

  Suppose a woman inherits a substantial estate from a distant relative (e.g., a great-aunt) before her marriage. She decides to use a portion of this inherited wealth, which was not derived from her father or his estate, as her dowry.

  This also qualifies as an adventitia dos because the dowry originates from the bride's own separate inheritance, rather than being provided directly by her father or the traditional paterfamilias.