When can a person declared mentally incompetent by a judge enter into a contract?

A person declared mentally incompetent by a judge is unable to enter into contracts on their own due to their incapacity to understand the nature and implications of the agreement. When a guardian is appointed to act on their behalf, that guardian has the legal authority to enter into contracts for the benefit of the person who is mentally incompetent. This appointment ensures that the interests of the individual are protected and that decisions made are in line with their best interests.

The other scenarios do not grant the individual the ability to contract independently. Being under medication may affect a person’s mental state but does not validate their capacity to contract. Consulting an attorney does not change the legal status of mental competence. Even if an individual's condition improves, it must be formally re-evaluated by a judge to lift the incompetence status before they can engage in contracts on their own. Thus, the necessity of a guardian to act on their behalf is crucial in allowing a legally binding contract to be established.