I have a scenario where I need to validate my model data prior to saving. All examples I can find use an array of input data such as Validator::make($data, $rules) or similar and are targeted towards validating user input from a form.

I need to validate before saving and for the caller to be able to receive any necessary errors, but not only by form data input as an array, as some other components will be using the model and setting values directly on the model. For example, I need something like the following:

$model = new Model();
$model->attr1 = "something";
$model->attr2 = "something else";
$model->attr3 = "more stuff";

if( $model->valid() ) {
    $model->save();
} 
else {
     // Handle another way and provide feedback on what errors may have occurred
     if( $model->hasError('errorA') {
        // .. do something in response to specific error.
     }
}

Some of the validation also needs to be somewhat complex and have access to multiple properties of the model in order to determine if it is valid or not. What is considered best practice, or even just how, would you go about doing this in Laravel?

Thanks in advance!