Responsa for Ketubot 205:32

Q. A's heirs refuse to support, out of their inheritance, all the members of the household of A's widow.
A. If the widow had a servant while A was alive, she is entitled to have one now that A is dead; and this servant must be supported out of A's estate.
SOURCES: Cr. 275; L. 244; Mordecai Hagadol, p. 371a.

Q. A died leaving several bad debts (investments). Since these debts are worth very little, may A's widow and daughter use the money exclusively for their own sustenance, while A's sons may be forced to go begging from door to door?
A. The law, which provides that daughters be entitled to derive their sustenance from movables left by their father, was instituted by the Geonim. Male and female orphans were placed by them on an equal footing in regard to such movables.
SOURCES: Cr. 267; Mordecai Hagadol, p. 183a; ibid. p. 322d.

Q. A's heirs refuse to support, out of their inheritance, all the members of the household of A's widow.
A. If the widow had a servant while A was alive, she is entitled to have one now that A is dead; and this servant must be supported out of A's estate.
SOURCES: Cr. 275; L. 244; Mordecai Hagadol, p. 371a.