Daughter Supported by Her Father, Working While Her Father is in Mourning
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Question
Can a daughter who is supported by her father work while her father is sitting shiva?
Answer
She can continue to work as usual. The money she earns during these days should not be given to her father.
Source
Tosafot, Tractate Bava Kamma, page 87b, discusses that a daughter supported by her father, her earnings belong to her father, etc. The Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, Chapter 370, Section 2, rules: "The find of a son and daughter supported by him, even if they are adults, and the find of his daughter even if she is not supported by him, and the find of his slaves and wife belong to him." The Rema added: "The same applies if they earned in trade or craft."
The Shach in Yoreh De'ah, Chapter 240, Section 4, writes on the Shulchan Aruch's words that children are forbidden to engage in work that may lead to loss, even if they are adults, if they are supported by him.
However, in R' Akiva Eiger, Choshen Mishpat, Chapter 370, he refers to Shut Shevut Yaakov, which brings an opinion that her earnings belong to her, and similarly, the Ritva writes in his commentary on Tractate Bava Metzia, page 92b: "If the son or daughter are adults, even if they are supported by him, their earnings do not belong to him."
Therefore, our teacher, the Rav, ruled that she can continue to work as usual, as the halacha follows the lenient opinion in mourning, and she can rely on the Ritva's opinion. However, certainly, the money earned belongs to her.