ginia, cruelty is a statutory
cause, and desertion in all but New York. In most of the States neglect
is also recognized as a valid cause. Imprisonment for crime is a cause
in all except Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.
Physical inability is a cause in all the States except California,
Connecticut, Idaho, North Dakota and Texas. Intemperance, in all but
Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakotah, Rhode Island,
Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. The time of residence required to
secure a divorce varies from 6 months in Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada and
Texas to 3 to 5 years in Massachusetts. In most States it is one year.
Remarriage is permitted in all the States having divorce laws except
Georgia, and alimony is also provided for in all these States.
RIGHTS OF MARRIED WOMEN.
Any and all property which a woman owns at her marriage, together with
rents, issues and profits thereof, and the property which comes to her
by descent, devise, bequest, gift or grant, or which she acquires by her
trade, business, labor, or services performed on her separate account,
shall, notwithstanding her marriage, remain her sole and separate
property, and may be used, collected and invested by her in her own
name, and shall not be subject to the interference or control of her
husband, or be liable for his debts, unless for such debts as may have
been contracted for the support of herself or children by her as his
agent.
A married woman may likewise bargain, sell, assign, transfer and convey
such property, and enter into contracts regarding the same on her
separate trade, labor or business with the like effect as if she were
unmarried. Her husband, however, is not liable for such contracts, and
they do not render him or his property in any way liable therefor. She
may also sue and be sued in all matters having relation to her sale and
separate property in the same manner as if she were sole.
In the following cases a married woman's contract may be enforced
against her and her separate estate: 1. When the contract is created in
or respecting the carrying on of the trade or business of the wife. 2.
When it relates to or is made for the sole benefit of her sole or
separate estate. 3. When the intention to charge the separate estate is
expressed in the contract creating the liability.
When a husband receives a principal sum of money belonging to his wife,
the law presumes he receives it for her us
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