Every freeborn man and woman, whether belonging to the nobility, or of inferior rank, who has no children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, has the unquestionable right to dispose of his or her estate at will; nor can any arrangement that either may make, be set aside by any relatives of theirs belonging either to the direct or to the collateral line. For those belonging to degrees of relationship other than the above, in the direct line, cannot, in the order of nature, receive the inheritance. Such relatives can, however, inherit from the intestate in accordance with the law which defines their rights.

TITLE III. CONCERNING WARDS AND THEIR GUARDIANS.

I.What a Minor Is.
II.From what date Time is to be Computed in Bringing Lawsuits relating to Minors.
III.How the Guardianship of Wards shall be Entered upon; what Portion of their Property they shall Receive, and what Portion shall be Given to their Guardians.
IV.Guardians shall have no Right to Exact from Wards in their Charge any Instruments in Writing whatever.

FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS, KING.

I. What a Minor Is.

It is a part of the practice of the duties prescribed by law, to so care for the rights of minors that they shall suffer no loss of their inheritance. Up to this time, little children left by a father have been called minors, for the reason that the mother has not less responsibility and care, on their account, than when both parents were living; and therefore we now decree, that henceforth any children left by father or mother, and who have not yet attained the age of fifteen years, shall be designated minors.

FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS, KING.

II. From what date Time is to be Computed in Bringing Lawsuits relating to Minors.

Where a question arises concerning the time within which an action at law can be maintained for the recovery of property in which minors are interested, we decree that an estimate must be made of the period which has elapsed since the parents have lost possession of said property; that is to say, it must be determined whether the entire number of years from that date, when added to those of the minor shall amount to fifty; and, if the number should be greater than that, the minor shall not be entitled to recover. And, moreover, if the parents of the minor in their lifetime, shall have neglected to assert their rights for the space of thirty years, the said minor shall not be permitted to prosecute such a claim as their representative.[21]

III. How the Guardianship of Wards shall be Entered upon; what Portion of their Property they shall Receive, and what Portion shall be Given to their Guardians.