Opinion ID: 1859809
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: whether frierson had the mental capacity to enter into a contract with delta outdoor

Text: ¶ 7. Frierson alleges that she did not have the mental capacity to enter into a valid contract when she signed the lease with Delta Outdoor. It appears from the record that this is the first time this issue has been raised. Frierson is procedurally precluded from raising the issue on appeal for the first time. Leverett v. State, 197 So.2d 889, 890 (Miss.1967). This procedural tenet serves a sound purpose in everyday practice. Specific objections are required to avoid costly new trials and to allow the offering party an opportunity to obviate the objection. Id.; Sumrall Church of Lord Jesus Christ v. Johnson, 757 So.2d 311, 316 (Miss.Ct.App.2000). Further, it is well known that the trial court will not be held in error unless it has had an opportunity to pass on the question. Additionally, Rule 9(a) of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure specifically requires that pleading insufficient legal capacity be raised in the initial complaint. Frierson failed to plead this special matter. ¶ 8. Procedural bar notwithstanding, we address Frierson's claim. The law presumes a person sane and mentally capable to enter into a contract. Foster v. Wright, 240 Miss. 566, 572, 127 So.2d 873, 876 (1961) (citing Hamilton Brothers Co. v. Narciese, 172 Miss. 24, 158 So. 467, 470 (1935)). The burden is upon the party seeking to avoid an instrument on the ground of insanity or mental incapacity to establish it by a preponderance of proof. Foster, 240 Miss. at 572, 127 So.2d at 876. Frierson has utterly and completely failed to clear this relatively low threshold of proof. The record is devoid of a single iota of evidence related to the state of Frierson's mental capacity. Not one witness broached the topic. This issue is meritless.