and are not among the principal parties to the contract, nor from the ascendants or descendants of either spouse.

Fifth: both prospective spouses must be free of all impediments—nothing attached to either of them, whether through kinship or any other cause, may lawfully bar the marriage.1

Suitability is not a prerequisite for the validity of the marriage; however, a woman who has been married off to a man lacking suitability may have the marriage annulled,2 even after a lapse of time, so long as she has not already signified her approval by word or deed. The same option belongs to her guardians; if she or some of them consent, any guardian who did not consent still retains the right to seek annulment.

Should suitability lapse after the contract has been concluded, the right of annulment belongs to her alone.

Suitability is considered in five areas: religion, occupation, financial solvency, freedom, and lineage.