Husband and wife may join in all causes of action arising from injuries to the person or character of either or both of them, or from injuries to the property of either or both of them, or arising out of any contract in favor of either or both of them.

     If a husband and wife be sued together, either or both spouses may defend, and if one spouse neglects to defend, the other spouse may defend for the nonacting spouse also. And each spouse may defend in all cases in which he or she is interested, whether that spouse is sued with the other spouse or not.

[1972 ex.s. c 108 § 2; Code 1881 § 7; 1877 p 4 § 7; 1875 p 4 § 3; 1854 p 219 § 492; RRS § 182.]