Aussteuer#

Dowry (German: Aussteuer), a special form of endowing daughters. The obligation to provide a bride's portion can be fulfilled by supplying a dowry. The bride's portion generally takes the form of financial contributions to a female child upon her marriage on the part of parents or grandparents as long as they are legally required to pay support. The child is only entitled to a portion if she does not have sufficient assets herself. The dowry comprises the furnishings of a household or the cash amount necessary to purchase them. The dowry is credited to the Compulsory Portion.