Q. A left four daughters and no sons. His widow claims that B owed money to her deceased husband, and seeks to recover it in payment of her ketubah. A. In talmudic times a widow could collect her ketubah from real property only; therefore, it is stated in the Talmud that when a person dies, his debtors or depositaries shall repay their obligations to the person's heirs and not to his widow. But, the Geonim enacted a law that a woman may collect her ketubah from movable property and even from property her husband has given away to his heirs before his death. Nowadays, then, a woman may collect her ketubah from her husband's property in the hands of debtors and depositaries. Therefore, if the widow will swear that A did not leave her enough property to cover her ketubah, B must pay her the money he owed A. If B denies that he owes anything to A, he must take an oath to that effect and be free from obligation. SOURCES: Cr. 85; Pr. 211; Am II, 8.