text🌻seeking legal advice

[multidisciplinary]

Type: Text (backdated to before Farplane event)
Sender ID: Anonymous
To: Public
Subject: Seeking legal advice
Warnings: None

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Hello.

I am in need of legal advice regarding a private matter:

Is a marriage contract legally binding if one or more parties involved were under the influence of spiritual possession while it was officiated?

Thank you for your assistance.

Comments

[octoblot]

Alright, then we can disregard the last two points since they will not necessarily be a factor in this case.

However, based on the first two, the marriage should not be considered binding: you used the spirits names instead of your own, so technically you provided false information. Thus, you are not contractually married to whoever it was you did this with. Legally, the marriage license would be thrown out because of it as a result.

Plus, even if you did consent to the possession at some point, a marriage license would be easily anulled or thrown out under the argument that you were "under the influence", like how some people will sometimes become intoxicated or inebriated enough to think it's a good idea to get married after consuming a large quantity of alcohol or what have you, only to regret it the next day when they sober up. Possession may not be the same thing as being drunk, obviously, but it's still a state of being that can be considered an impairment of one's judgement and therefore any actions or words said during should not be taken seriously on your account.

[multidisciplinary]

[ At first, she's relieved to read this assessment. Thank goodness! A princess can't just marry someone out of the blue. There are like a thousand and one things she needs to keep in when choosing a suitable consort and Zelda hadn't considered any of them before this whole debacle.

But something sticks out at her as she goes over it a second time. ]

Wait a moment, would this render the marriage license void for the spirits as well?

[octoblot]

[That's actually a really good question. Azul has to think about it for a moment.]

To be honest, I've only ever once dealt with spirits that were attempting to conduct a marriage ceremony, and at the time a marriage license was not necessary, as they were simply happy to consider the ceremony itself as all the proof they needed to be happy with the results.

But in your case since there was in fact one that was submitted and signed by the spirits with their names... I think it would depend on whether or not it would be ruled that they did technically sign it with "their" dominant hand when possessing your body to do so?

[multidisciplinary]

In this case, I believe the spirits were most concerned being legally recognized as married. They came from different social classes, and she was of far greater social status than he. Marriage was to be her way of formally renouncing her status and claims to her birthright.

The marriage agreement was purely oral; the minister would later record the names of the wedded partners within his registry, to later be added to the Naughtilust's vital records. The spirit was in full control of my body when she made her vows, but her words were spoken in my voice, as she was incapable of audible speech on her own.

[octoblot]

I see.

[Hmmmmm]

In that case, I think you're still in the clear: their names are the ones on the registered, not yours, so the spirits can be considered legally married: you, however, are not considered legally married, since it is not your name that was recorded for a marriage document instead.

[multidisciplinary]

[ She feels a hopeful flutter rise in her chest. ]

You are quite certain? Oh thank goodness. That is exactly the outcome I wanted from the outset: that only the spirits be legally wed, not myself and my companion.

Thank you for your assistance! Your legal knowledge is most impressive. Are you as scholar of law?

[octoblot]

My stepfather is a lawyer, and I also run a business of my own: various different types of contracts, even something like marriage licenses, has ended up being a topic of discussion that comes up between us sometimes.

[multidisciplinary]

Something like a consultation business?

[octoblot]

Yes, that's exactly right! I provide consultation services for the clients that visit the Mostro Lounge that I've got set up back home.

[There's a pause before he adds--]
 
Of course, even if my office is not here, I am always open to helping anyone who needs my help while I'm in this place, so I'm glad that I was able to provide some advice for you on this matter.

[multidisciplinary]

Your help was most appreciated, I am truly grateful! Should I need further advice in the future, I will most certainly reach out to you.

[ Nevermind that she's anonymous right now. She's just happy someone could actually give her a real answer to her question. ]