Researchers at TWLF talk about the differences in New Orleans civil law (derived from Napoleonic law) from English common-law states:

1. Daughters and sons inherited equally
2. Woman never lost family name even after married. “Marie Laveau, wife of Paris.”
3. Unmarked or widow could conduct business
4. Married woman retained control of what she brought to marriage and half of community property acquired in her marriage.
5. Married woman could petition for separation of property in case of husbands bad business dealings.