Legal Definitions - living

In a legal context, the term living refers to the primary means by which an individual secures the financial resources or other forms of support necessary to sustain themselves and their daily needs. While it most commonly refers to one's employment, it can also encompass other regular and significant sources of income or support.

• Example 1: Sarah works full-time as a software engineer for a tech company. Her salary from this position is her primary source of income, covering her rent, groceries, and other expenses.

  Explanation 1: In this scenario, Sarah's employment as a software engineer constitutes her living because it is the direct source of the monetary support she uses to maintain her lifestyle and meet her financial obligations.

• Example 2: Mark owns and operates a small graphic design studio. He earns income by providing design services to various clients, which allows him to pay his bills and support his family.

  Explanation 2: Mark's graphic design studio is his living because the revenue generated from his business operations provides the essential financial resources he needs for his sustenance and that of his family.

• Example 3: After retiring, Eleanor relies on a combination of her pension, social security benefits, and income from a diversified investment portfolio to cover her monthly expenses and maintain her standard of living.

  Explanation 3: For Eleanor, her pension, social security, and investment income collectively represent her living. Even though she is no longer actively employed, these consistent financial inflows are her means of support and resource acquisition.