Lawful Dependents


The term “lawful dependents” refers to all dependents “except those who might occupy an unlawful relation to the [individual].”  National Council Junior Order United American Mechanics v. Tate, 193 S.E. 397, 399 (N.C. 1937).  “Legal dependent means something more than one who is deriving support from another. It imports one who has the right to invoke the aid of the law to require support. And the status of a wife living with her husband as being his legal dependent, entitled in law to his support, is recognized by our statutes.”  Id.

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