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LAWS OF MARYLAND.
12. Any married woman may, at whatever age she may be,

Relinquish

power.

relinquish her dower in any real estate by the Joint deed of
herself and husband, or by her separate deed, and in like man-
ner any husband may relinquish his interest in the real estate
of his wife by joint or separate deed.
13. Where any married man or married woman is a lunatic

Grant and
convey.

or insane, and has been so found upon inquisition, the said
finding remains in force, or where any married man or married,
woman has been absent or unheard of for seven years, the hus-
band or wife of such lunatic or insane or absent person may
grant and convey by his or her separate deed, whether the
same be absolute or by way of lease or mortgage, as fully, as if
he or she wan unmarried, any real estate which he or she may
have acquired since the finding of such inquisition or since
the beginning of such absence.
14. No husband shall be liable in any manner for any debts

Husband not
liable.

of his wife contracted, or for any claims or demands of any
kind against her, arising prior to marriage, but she and her
property shall remain liable therefor, in the same manner as if
the marriage had not taken place.
15. Proceedings at law or in equity, according to the nature

Proceedings
at law or in
equity.

of such debts, claims or demands, may be taken against such
married woman, notwithstanding her coverture in her married
name, joining her husband therein as defendant ; but no judg-
ment or decree shall pass against the husband or his estate, but
such judgment or decree shall be passed against the wife only ;
and it shall operate only upon her estate held and owned by her
prior or subsequent to said marriage.

Power to
appoint an
attorney at
law.

16. Any married woman, against whom any proceeding may
be taken under the two preceding sections, shall have power to
appoint an attorney at law to act for her in such proceeding. -
17. In all cases where leases for a definite term, or for a term

Lawful to
levy rent by
distress.

of years, renewable forever, have been, or may hereafter be
made to a married woman, and the rent therein stipulated to
be paid shall be in arrear and unpaid for the space of ninety
days, it shall be lawful for the landlord to levy said rent by
distress, in the same manner as if the lessee was a feme sole;
and in case of no sufficient distress being found on said prem-
ises, to make such re-entry, or bring such action for recovery
of the demised premises as he or she might do if the lessee
were feme sole, and had covenanted for the payment of said
rents, and to suffer such re-entry to be made.
18. In all deeds made to married women, since March 19,
1867, of real estate or chattels real, it shall be competent for