I have been with my boyfriend for about 5 years now. My car broke down a while back and he bought me a new car, (a used car and paid in full). He has also given me jewelry along the way for birthdays, christmases and valentine's days. I have never signed any kind of notes, contracts, etc. The car is registrated, titled, and insured in my name, however, he keeps this title in a safe, locked up. The jewelry is obviously in his name, he keeps the receipts to these in the safe also. It seems every time we fight he wants everything he has ever given me back, implying that he will take me to court if necessary. (keep in mind I, also, have given him gifts and never asked for them back, no matter the status of our relationship.) One of the rings is an engagement ring, and although I did say yes, the marriage keeps getting pushed back further and further. My question is, does he have any legal right to these things? Its my understanding that all of these except the engagement ring are unconditional gifts, is this correct? If he takes me to court, will he have a case? I am curious because, we had a bad fight last month and he was so persistent that I sign the title over to him, I wouldn't, then he proceeded to tell me that it didn't matter that the registration, title and insurance were in my name because he had the bill of sale and he had the title locked up. But, can't I just go to the DMV and get another copy of the title? I am lost in this and would like to be prepared. If it comes down to it, could I call the cops to enforce that I can take my things with me?

I can't answer for the other gifts, but I believe you are correct that they are 'unconditional gifts' that he has no right to take back.

As for the car, if it is titled in your name solely, then you own it and he cannot take it from you. You can file for a copy of the title.

He could take you to court and show the bill of sale and claim the car was not a gift. But he'd have a hard time winning.

But beyond all of that, I do hope you have left him, since he is not any long term material for any real relastionship, and if you want to be with someone that will give you things to be with you, you can find one that will not keep reciepts.