Margaret is surely correct. In fact, though not here, in Britain (from whence our legal system largely was derived), the document bearing the wife's consent was very formal, elaborate and complete. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "Margaret Driskill" <mdriskill@worldnet.att.net> To: "Paul Drake" <martee@citlink.net>; <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 8:56 AM Subject: Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Legal phrases > Just a tiny addendum to what Paul said.....The woman is "examined" > SEPERATELY. This is done to insure that her husband, who is present, is not > forcing or pressuring her to agree to the transfer or sale. The men > questioning her usually have her interest at heart as well as the legal > power to stop something if indeed she does not want to sign. > > Fondly, > Margaret >