Anonymous, Harvard Law MS 1178-31-33

By the statute of distribution, the wife is entitled absolutely to one third part of the intestate husband's personal estate, and if he dies without issue, to one half and the remainder in both cases goes to his representatives. The right of the wife, however, in Connecticut is subordinate to that of the creditor, that is, the debts of the husband must be paid before the wife can take this third or moiety, and be paid out of the personal estate.