A head of a family has duty of support for family members, as leader of a family (however, the duty of support by a spouse, direct descendants, and direct ancestors are prioritized.), and the other capabilities and powers of a head of a family are listed below.
戸主は、家の統率者として家族に対する扶養義務を負う（ただし、配偶者、直系卑属、直系尊属による扶養義務のほうが優先）ほか、主に以下のような権能（戸主権）を有していた。