look news india
Live-in relationship has become a common thing for today’s younger generation. In films and web series it seems very cool and modern – love, freedom, and there is no hassle of great marriage responsibilities. It seems an easy way to understand each other, live together.
But there is also a truth of this ‘easy’ relationship, which most boys and girls ignore. That is the law. Do you know what are your rights if your relationship breaks down tomorrow? Will the girl get alimony? What will happen to him if there is a child?
It is a good thing to fall in love, but forgetting your legal rights in emotions can be the greatest foolishness.
So what is the live-in relationship in the eyes of the law?
The first and best news is that Indian law does not consider live-in relationship as ‘illegitimate’. The Supreme Court has also clarified many times that if a boy and girl live together like a husband and wife for a long time, the law will consider them like a married couple.
The 4 biggest rights of the people living in a live-in relationship
1. Does the girl get maintenance?
yes of course. This is the biggest right. If the relationship breaks down and the girl was financially dependent on the boy, she could demand maintenance from the boy under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The law cannot leave him helpless.
2. What will happen if the child is born?
This is a very big question, and the answer is clear. The child born with a live-in relationship is considered completely valid in the eyes of the law. He gets full rights over the property of both his parents, just as a child born to a married couple gets.
3. Does the partner have authority over property?
There is a great misunderstanding here. By staying in live-in, you do not get any right on your partner’s personal or ancestral property automatically. Yes, if both of them have bought any property together, then both of them will have equal rights.
4. Full security from domestic violence
A woman living in live-in also gives as much protection from domestic violence as a wife. If the partner commits any kind of physical, mental or emotional violence with him, then he can knock the door of the law.
Keep these things in mind before starting a relationship
The freedom as the live-in relationship can be as insecure. If the matter reaches the court tomorrow, then you have to prove that you were living as a husband and wife. Therefore, it is prudent to make a ‘paper proof’ of the relationship.
Create a rent agreement in the name of both.
Open a joint bank account.
Enter each other’s name in house bills, investment etc.
Remember, love may be blind, but not law. Love your heart, but also love your mind.