THE NEW CONSTITUTIONS OF THE EMPEROR LEO.
~  LXXXV  ~
FATHERS WHO DO NOT MARRY A SECOND TIME WILL BE ENTITLED TO A SHARE EQUAL TO THAT OF ONE OF THEIR CHILDREN.



 
S. P. Scott, The Civil Law, XVII, Cincinnati, 1932 ).
 

 
The Same Emperor to the Same Stylianus.

  As We have not established any rule concerning donations made in consideration of marriage where a wife dies leaving a husband with children, and as custom makes provision for a wife who predeceases her husband, We do not think that this custom should be changed; but We have decreed that the ante-nuptial donation shall be given to the wife, as hitherto provided by the laws, and that the husband shall not be permitted to receive anything if he marries a second time; but, on the contrary, if he respects his former marriage, he shall be remunerated for this honorable resolution, and a share of his wife's estate, equal to that of one of his children, shall be set apart for him; and if this share should equal, or exceed in value the antenuptial donation, thereby affording him a profit, or at least not causing him any loss, he must remain content with it; but if, on the other hand, this allowance does not equal, but is less than the ante-nuptial donation, the husband shall not surrender any of his property, nor shall he be entitled to anything from his wife's estate.