§ IV. On the Interdicted and Prodigals

The interdicted are those who by sentence of a judge are declared incapable of exercising civil acts because of a state of weakness, dementia, or madness. Moreover, someone is given to them as tutor, and all their acts are void by law; nevertheless, they are not to be esteemed absolutely null before the sentence of the judge. Interdiction ceases when the cause ceases; but its cessation must be declared by the judge, so that the interdicted person can again act civilly.

Prodigals, under whose name sometimes legally denounced drunkards come, are incapable of entering into certain contracts determined by law without the assistance of an adviser appointed by the judge. Moreover, the nullity of contracts entered into by the interdicted and prodigals can indeed be opposed by themselves or by those acting their cause, but not by those who have contracted with them, as was said concerning minors. - Cf. Kenrick, tract. 11, n. 6; and tract. 10, n. 87. - Kent, Comment. vol. 2, part 5, lect. 39, n. 450.