Legal Definitions - et uxor

The Latin phrase et uxor, often abbreviated as et ux., literally translates to "and wife."

This term was historically used in legal documents to indicate that a husband and his wife were acting jointly in a legal matter. Typically, the husband would be named, and then "et uxor" or "et ux." would be added to signify the wife's involvement without explicitly stating her name. While once common in various legal contexts, such as property deeds, court case titles, and other formal filings, the use of "et uxor" is now considered archaic and is rarely, if ever, seen in modern legal practice.

Here are some examples illustrating its historical application:

• Property Deed: Imagine a land transfer document from the early 20th century stating, "This indenture made between Arthur Jenkins et uxor, grantors, and Sarah Miller, grantee..."

  Explanation: In this scenario, "Arthur Jenkins et uxor" signifies that Arthur Jenkins and his wife were the joint parties transferring the property to Sarah Miller. It confirms that the wife was also a legal grantor in the transaction, even though her name wasn't individually listed.

• Court Case Title: A historical court record might list a case as "The State v. Thompson et ux." in a criminal proceeding, or "Johnson v. Davis et ux." in a civil dispute.

  Explanation: Here, "et ux." indicates that the legal action was directed against Mr. Thompson and his wife, or Mr. Davis and his wife, respectively. It clarifies that both spouses were considered defendants or parties to the case, rather than just the husband alone.

• Mortgage Document: An old mortgage agreement might include a clause referencing "the obligations of William Green et uxor, mortgagors, to secure the loan."

  Explanation: This usage means that William Green and his wife were jointly responsible for the mortgage obligations. It highlights their combined legal commitment to the loan, reflecting a time when married couples were often treated as a single legal entity in such financial agreements.