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Peace Legal Information: Making Law Simple for Every Citizen

Peace Legal Information: Making Law Simple for Every Citizen

Table of Contents Introduction — purpose & scope Why legal awareness matters Rights & Duties — equal and reciprocal Role of Police — how to cooperate Everyday laws to keep handy How to use the law to protect yourself Conclusion Introduction — purpose & scope Peace4.in brings plain-English legal information to every person living in or visiting India. This pinned page is a gateway: it explains the site's purpose, how to navigate topic clusters, and how the law can be used to prevent harm and resolve disputes through recognised legal channels. We focus only on Indian legal context and practical steps. Our aim is to increase legal literacy, encourage lawful behaviour, and support peaceful, constructive resolution of conflicts. ↑ Back to top Why legal awareness matters Legal knowledge empowers you to avoid common mistakes, make informed decisions, and access remed...
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Does Indian Law Recognize Live-in Relationships?

Does Indian Law Recognize Live-in Relationships?


More information on the topic, Does Indian Law Recognize Live-in Relationships?

What is a Live-in Relationship?

A live-in relationship is when two consenting adults live together in a long-term arrangement resembling marriage, but without formally registering or solemnizing it.

While live-in relationships are not formally recognized as marriage, Indian courts have upheld them as valid under certain circumstances — particularly when the relationship is stable, voluntary, and long-term.

There is no separate statute governing live-in relationships, but judicial precedents and certain laws extend protections, especially for women.

Legal Rights of Women in Live-in Relationships

Indian law has evolved to protect women in live-in arrangements. Courts have granted:

  • Right to residence in the shared household
  • Protection from domestic violence
  • Right to maintenance under certain conditions
  • Custody rights for children born out of live-in relationships

Protection Under the Domestic Violence Act

The DV Act, 2005, covers relationships “in the nature of marriage.” This includes live-in partners if the relationship is stable and resembles marriage.

Women in such relationships can seek:

  • Protection orders
  • Residence orders
  • Monetary relief and maintenance

Property, Maintenance & Inheritance Issues

Property jointly acquired during the relationship can be contested in civil courts. However:

  • No automatic right to ancestral property of the partner
  • Maintenance may be granted if dependency and domesticity are proven
  • Children from such relationships have inheritance rights in the self-acquired property of both parents

Supreme Court & High Court Views

Several judgments have shaped the recognition of live-in relationships:

  • Indra Sarma v. V.K.V. Sarma (2013): Defined parameters of “relationship in the nature of marriage”
  • Khushboo v. Kanaimmal (2010): Supreme Court upheld adult choice to live together
  • Lata Singh v. State of UP (2006): Emphasized freedom of choice in cohabitation

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Location: India