What does "voluntary consent" mean in Texas contract law?

In Texas contract law, "voluntary consent" refers to the notion that parties entering into a contract must do so freely and willingly, without being forced or manipulated into making decisions. This concept includes the absence of duress or undue influence, meaning that a party’s agreement to terms must not be coerced or improperly swayed by another party's actions. Duress might involve threats or pressure, while undue influence could stem from a more subtle manipulation where one party takes advantage of a relationship to gain an unfair contractual benefit.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture the essence of voluntary consent. Signing in front of a notary does not relate to the notion of voluntary agreement but rather pertains to the formalities of contract execution. Similarly, stipulations about signing during business hours or the inclusion of mandatory waiting periods are not standard requirements for establishing whether consent is voluntary; they do not address the underlying issues of coercion or manipulation that are central to the concept of voluntary consent.