The Minister released a statement early yesterday detailing a new piece of legislature recently signed into law. The "Property Reform Act 1882," as it has been titled, places new restrictions on who is allowed to hold property. The Married Witches Act quite recently gave women the right to retain any property owned while single or widowed under their own name even while being remarried, which the Ministry says they will still be able to do, so long as at least one man remains on the property deed. "A single lady may have her father, brother, or some other family member on the property deed with her," a Ministry official clarified. "Once she is married, she may choose to change the deed to her husband's name, or keep it under her father's, brother's, any male. Her name will remain on the deeds at all times, however, so she isn't really losing any rights."

"This should clear up inheritance lines," the Minister stated regarding the bill. "Things like that." Mr. Potter declined any questions, making only a brief statement before retreating back to his office.

The fear, it seems, is that the Married Witches Act put too much strain on the fairer sex, to be able to manage their own estates. The Reform _____________________________________________________________

allows them to retain some rights as owners of property, but allows for the necessity of a male presence in the leadership role of property ownership.

The Reform also contains a clause regarding Non-Humans, who generally pose problems for inheritance lines, as well. "The life of a vampire is relatively instable, especially in times like these," a Ministry worker was heard to say, who asked to remain anonymous. "Attaching at least one human name assures that the land, estate, business, whatever it is that's in question, to follow the normal channels, at least."

The Reform affects all new land, estate, or property transactions starting immediately. Witches or non-humans who gained sole ownership of property will retain all rights pending Ministry review. In most cases, an official stated, the Reform will entain simply naming a eligible human male as the co-owner; in some special cases, women or nonhumans may be able to retain sole property rights. See the office of John McRaymo to see whether you or your loved ones may be eligible.