Supreme Court Upholds Widowed Daughter-in-Law's Maintenance Right from Father-in-Law's Property

• The Supreme Court ruled on January 13, 2026, that a widowed daughter-in-law has the right to maintenance from her father-in-law's property, even if he passed away before her husband.
• This right is based on Sections 21 and 22 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, which lists a 'son's widow' as a dependent.
• The Court referenced Manusmriti, emphasizing the moral duty to support dependents and prevent widowed women from becoming destitute.
• The ruling clarifies previous legal confusion where some courts denied maintenance if the father-in-law died before the husband.
• Maintenance is an allowance for expenses, not ownership of the entire property, and ceases if the daughter-in-law remarries.

Why It Matters: Widowed daughter-in-law retains maintenance rights from father-in-law's property, regardless of remarriage status.