Teovõimelised

Teovõimelised refers to the legal capacity of an individual to engage in juristic acts. In Estonian law, this concept is fundamental to determining who can validly enter into contracts, make wills, or perform other legally binding actions. Generally, individuals attain full legal capacity upon reaching the age of 18, which is the age of majority. Before this age, individuals are considered minors and their legal capacity is limited.

Minors are typically classified into two categories: those under the age of 7, who have no legal capacity, and those between the ages of 7 and 18, who have limited legal capacity. For individuals under the age of 7, any juristic acts they attempt are considered void. For those between 7 and 18, juristic acts generally require the consent of their legal representative, usually a parent or guardian, to be valid. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as the ability for minors to dispose of earnings from their own work or manage property they have acquired through their own efforts, subject to certain conditions.

In addition to age, legal capacity can also be affected by mental capacity. Individuals who are declared legally incompetent by a court due to mental illness or other severe mental disorders may have their legal capacity restricted or entirely removed. In such cases, a legal guardian is appointed to act on their behalf. The concept of teovõimelised is crucial for ensuring legal certainty and protecting the rights of individuals within the legal system.