Legal Definitions - dependent

In legal terms, a dependent generally refers to an individual who relies on another person for their primary support and sustenance, often unable to fully provide for themselves independently. This reliance can be financial, for care, or both, and is recognized in various legal contexts, including tax law, insurance policies, and eligibility for certain benefits.

While most commonly referring to a person, "dependent" can also describe an event or condition that relies on the occurrence of something else.

• Example 1: An Elderly Relative Receiving Care

  Imagine an adult, Sarah, whose elderly aunt, Martha, has significant health issues and limited income. Martha moves in with Sarah, who provides all of Martha's housing, food, medical care coordination, and financial assistance. In this scenario, Martha is Sarah's dependent because she relies entirely on Sarah for her daily needs and well-being.

  This illustrates the term because Martha cannot sustain herself independently and relies on Sarah for essential support, which could have implications for Sarah's tax filings or eligibility for certain caregiver support programs.

• Example 2: A College Student Covered by a Parent's Health Insurance

  Consider a 20-year-old college student, Alex, who is enrolled full-time and lives away from home but whose parents still pay for tuition, housing, and all living expenses. Alex is covered under their parents' health insurance policy. For insurance purposes, Alex is considered a dependent of their parents.

  This demonstrates dependency in the context of insurance and financial support. Even though Alex is an adult, their financial reliance on their parents for major expenses and health coverage makes them a dependent under the policy's terms.

• Example 3: A Business Contract Contingent on Another Agreement

  A small construction company, "BuildRight," signs a contract to build a new office park, but this contract is explicitly conditional upon "BuildRight" successfully securing a separate loan agreement with a bank by a specific date. If the loan doesn't materialize, the construction contract is void. In this case, the construction contract is dependent on the loan agreement.

  This example shows the less common usage of "dependent" where an event or agreement relies entirely on the successful completion of another event or agreement. The construction project cannot proceed without the prerequisite financing.