Different family models

The concept of a family evolves, and may comprise different models of relationships between family members.

A legally recognized relationship

Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania states that a family is the basis of society and the State. Marriage can be concluded upon the free consent of man and woman. Family consists of equal rights and duty of respect between parents and children.

A family, in a narrow sense, is a legally recognized relationship established through marriage between spouses and between parents and their children based on biological ties or adoption.  

important From the legal point of view, relations between an adoptive parent and an adopted child are the same as the family relations between parents and their biological child. 

A single parent family

A relationship between two parents and their child forms the traditional family model, whether the relationship between both parents is legally recognized or not. A family may nevertheless also consist of one unmarried or divorced parent living together with his/her child. 

example A single mother who is raising her child, even if the child’s father is unknown, will be considered a family.

Partnership

A couple does not necessarily have to be married in order to be considered a family. For example, the couple may have registered a civil partnership (civil union) if the national law provides for such legal recognition of a couple. 

important Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania does provide regulation of civil partnership, nevertheless as of today it is not in force.

Factual relationship

A close personal relationship that has developed without any legal recognition, may also constitute a family. A number of factors may be relevant in assessing whether such relationship can be considered a family: 

  • whether the couple lives together
  • the length of their relationship
  • whether they have children in common 
  • whether they have demonstrated their commitment to each other by any other means

example An unmarried couple that has been living together for several years and has a child in common will be considered a family.

Read more about factual relationship.

Same-sex couples

A relationship between two persons of the same-sex who are co-habiting, whether they are in a registered partnership or not, may fall within the concept of family life.

important Currently it is not possible for same-sex couples to marry or register a civil partnership in Lithuania.

In order to evaluate whether the relationship of a same-sex couple can be considered a family, the same factors have to be evaluated as in the case of a co-habiting opposite-sex couple.

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