Publication
Title
Living apart together (LAT) and law : exploring legal expectations among LAT individuals in Belgium
Author
Abstract
This article focuses on individual perceptions of the legal protection afforded to living apart together (LAT) partners in Belgium. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 54 individuals engaged in an LAT partnership, this study explores the meaning LAT individuals attach to their union and investigates the relationship between their understanding of their relationship, their legal expectations and views on legal reform. Our findings indicate that, in Belgium, LAT individuals do not expect marriage-like family law legal provisions within their union. On the other hand given the nature of their relationship LAT individuals believe they should be granted the same family-based benefits as those enjoyed by their cohabiting or married counterparts. A differential between LAT-individuals legal expectations and views exists according to their socioeconomic status. Relationship expectations play a role as well, albeit indirectly, with transitional and undecided LAT individuals being somewhat more concerned about legal issues than individuals in permanent LAT arrangements.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Social and legal studies. - London, 1992, currens
Publication
London : 2013
ISSN
0964-6639 [print]
1461-7390 [online]
DOI
10.1177/0964663913478960
Volume/pages
22 :3 (2013) , p. 357-376
ISI
000323669100004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Social significance and legal protection of private relationships.
Publication type
Subject
Law 
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 17.06.2013
Last edited 02.10.2024
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