DoI need to give my engagment ring back?
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DoI need to give my engagment ring back?
He gave me the ring and then ended the engagement.
Asked on December 12, 2011 under Family Law, Washington
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The majority of courts consider an engagement ring to be a "conditional gift". That means it is a gift given on condition that a future event occur; in this instance the marriage. If that event does not occur, then the donor has the right to get the gift back.
However, in a situation such as this fault does matter. The majority of jurisdictions reason that it isn't fair that the donor should always get the ring back, especially if the donee stood ready to go ahead with the marriage and the donor broke it off (as it would be unfair for the donee to keep the ring if the engagement was broken because of the donee's unfaithfulness or other wrongdoing).
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