Also known as: family unit · domestic establishment
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A group of persons who live together in the same dwelling unit.
Judge Ramirez learns that his adult daughter, who lives with him, owns stock in a corporation that is a party to a pending case. Because the daughter resides in the judge's household, the economic interest is attributed to the judge. The judge must therefore recuse under the applicable rule.
A state statute permits only the husband, designated head of the household, to sell jointly owned marital property without the wife's consent. Helena Hoffman, a married woman, challenges the statute after her husband unilaterally transfers their home. The classification based on gender within the household fails intermediate scrutiny and violates equal protection.
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Hassan Hakim purchases a refrigerator and washing machine for use in his apartment. Because the goods are bought primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, they qualify as consumer goods under the UCC. A later buyer from Hassan takes free of any perfected security interest.
After her husband's death, Holly Hayes selects household furniture, appliances, and an automobile from the estate. As the surviving spouse she is entitled to exempt property up to the statutory value limit in addition to the homestead allowance. The children receive nothing until her claim is satisfied.
Hector Huerta trespasses on land and leaves an open excavation. A member of the possessor's household falls into the hole and is injured. The trespasser is liable for the physical harm to the household member even though the trespass itself caused no damage to the land.
In a dissolution proceeding, Hannah Hughes seeks an increased share of marital assets based on her years as primary homemaker. The court must consider her contribution to the family unit when apportioning property without regard to marital misconduct. Her household services receive the same weight as financial contributions.
No. The term focuses on shared residence rather than formal relationship. Judicial conduct rules and tort restatements apply the label to anyone residing in the dwelling, while probate and UCC provisions emphasize functional household use.
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A judge must recuse when any household member holds an economic interest in a party or the subject matter. The rule treats the household as a single unit for financial conflicts even if the judge personally holds no interest.
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Goods qualify as consumer goods when used or bought primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. The classification determines special protections for buyers and priority rules in secured transactions.
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The surviving spouse may claim household furniture, automobiles, furnishings, appliances, and personal effects up to a statutory dollar limit. These rights have priority over most creditors and supplement the homestead allowance.
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Yes. A trespasser is liable for physical harm caused to members of the possessor's household or their property. The rule protects those who live with the possessor even when the trespass causes no direct damage to the land itself.
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…not be consequential in meeting the test of the zoning ordinance. So long as the group home bears the generic character of a family unit as a relatively permanent household, and is not a framework for transients or transient living, it conforms to the purpose of the ordinance . . . ." Id. , at 305-306, 313 N. E. 2d, at…