Legal Definitions - marriage portion

A marriage portion refers to an amount of money, property, or other valuable assets that a bride's family traditionally gives to her or her new husband upon marriage. Historically, its purpose was often to provide financial security for the bride, contribute to the establishment of the new household, or solidify the social and economic standing of the newly formed couple. While the term "dowry" is often used interchangeably, "marriage portion" specifically emphasizes the assets provided by the bride's family.

• Example 1 (Historical Context):

  In 19th-century England, a wealthy landowner, Mr. Davies, arranged for his daughter, Eleanor, to marry a respectable but less affluent gentleman, Mr. Thompson. As part of the marriage agreement, Mr. Davies transferred ownership of a small cottage and an annual income from a specific farm plot to Eleanor, to be managed by Mr. Thompson for the benefit of their new family.

  This transfer of the cottage and income from Mr. Davies to Eleanor (or her husband on her behalf) upon her marriage constitutes a marriage portion. It was intended to provide financial support and security for Eleanor and her new household, reflecting the traditional practice of a bride's family contributing assets to the union.

• Example 2 (Modern Cultural Practice):

  In a contemporary Indian wedding, the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sharma, gifted their daughter, Priya, a substantial sum of money, a new car, and a collection of gold jewelry upon her marriage to Rohan. These gifts were explicitly intended to help Priya and Rohan set up their new home and provide a financial foundation for their future together.

  The money, car, and jewelry provided by Priya's parents at the time of her marriage serve as a marriage portion. These assets are given to the bride to support her and her husband in establishing their new life, aligning with the concept of a family contributing resources to the marital union.

• Example 3 (Pre-nuptial Agreement/Family Wealth Transfer):

  Before their wedding, Sarah and David signed a pre-nuptial agreement. Sarah's parents, who owned a successful business, agreed to transfer a significant block of company shares into a trust for Sarah upon her marriage, with the understanding that the income from these shares would provide her with independent financial security throughout her marriage.

  The transfer of company shares into a trust for Sarah upon her marriage, as agreed upon by her parents, represents a marriage portion. This arrangement provides Sarah with a dedicated financial asset from her family, specifically tied to her marital union, intended to secure her financial well-being within the marriage.