Which act repealed common law dower and curtesy in Pennsylvania?

The correct answer is that Pennsylvania's Intestate Act of 1917 is the legislation that repealed common law dower and curtesy in Pennsylvania. This act marked a significant change in the legal landscape regarding spousal rights upon the death of a partner. Prior to this act, common law dower and curtesy allowed a surviving spouse certain rights to the deceased spouse's property based on common law principles. The Intestate Act of 1917 recognized these common law rights as outdated and instead created a more structured system for inheritance that provided clear rights for spouses without relying on common law doctrines.

The need for this reform stemmed from evolving societal norms and the desire to create more equitable distribution of property among heirs, reflecting the legal shifts of the time. It also helped streamline the inheritance process, ensuring that spousal rights were explicitly laid out within statutory law, thereby providing greater clarity and predictability for families dealing with the death of a loved one.

This act directly addressed the shortcomings of common law arrangements, paving the way for the modern inheritance frameworks still in use today.