Family Unit - Definition - Law Dictionary

Definition :

Family unit, under the definition of 'family unit' in s. 3(f) of the Andhra Pradesh Land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act, 1973 the divided minor son would clearly be included in the 'family unit' and by reason of S. 4, his land, whether self-acquired or obtained on partition, would be liable to be clubbed with the lands held by the other members of the 'family unit'. The land obtained by the divided minor son on partition would be liable to be aggregated with the lands of other members of the family unit not because the partition is invalid but because the land held by him, howsoever acquired, is liable to be clubbed with the lands of other members for the purpose of applying the ceiling area to the 'family unit', Thumati Venkaiah v. State of Andhra Pradesh, AIR 1980 SC 1568: (1980) 4 SCC 295: (1980) 3 SCR 1143.

No distinction has been made in the definition of family unit between a divided minor son and an undivided minor son. Both stand on the same footing and a divided minor son is as much a member of the family unit as an undivided minor son. Family unit is not to be confused with joint family, Begulla Bapi Raju v. State of Andhra Pradesh, AIR 1983 SC 1073: (1984) 1 SCC 66: (1983) 3 SCR 701. [A.P. land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act, 1973]