Legal Definitions - nubilis

nubilis refers to a person who has reached the legal age of marriage. While historically often applied to young women, in modern legal contexts, it generally signifies anyone who meets the age requirements to legally enter into matrimony.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Historical Context
  In a historical European kingdom, a young woman might have been considered nubilis upon reaching her 14th birthday, as this was the customary and legally recognized age for women to marry in that era. This meant she was deemed eligible to enter into a marriage contract according to the societal norms and laws of the time.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates nubilis in a historical context, where the specific age for marriageability was defined by the prevailing laws and customs of the period.

• Example 2: Modern Legal Eligibility
  In a U.S. state where the legal age to marry without parental consent is 18, a 22-year-old man who wishes to marry would be considered nubilis. He has surpassed the minimum age requirement set by the state's statutes, granting him the legal capacity to marry independently.

  Explanation: This illustrates nubilis in a contemporary legal setting, highlighting that an individual is considered "marriageable" once they meet the statutory age threshold.

• Example 3: Conditional Marriageability
  A 17-year-old woman living in a jurisdiction where the minimum marriage age is 18 would not typically be considered nubilis without additional legal steps. However, if that jurisdiction allows for marriage with parental consent or judicial approval for minors, she could become nubilis by fulfilling those specific conditions, thereby gaining the legal capacity to marry despite not having reached the general age of majority.

  Explanation: This example shows that while nubilis primarily refers to meeting the standard legal age, it can also encompass situations where specific legal exceptions or conditions allow a person to become marriageable even if they are below the typical age threshold.