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xXxsweetxXx · May 30, 2007, 11:59 PM

Hello to all -

I was wondering-
My fiancé bought me an engagement ring a little over a year ago-& we have been together going on 4 years now. Anyway,- Out of curiosity- if we ever broke up, would I have to give the ring back to him? I don't know if it makes any difference, but I live in NY.
Could he take me to court for this, and make me give it back? I heard so many people say you don't give the ring back. Only give it back if it was handed down in the family. But in this case it wasn't.- He bought it himself.
Thanks so much- just curious*:rolleyes:

iAMfromHuntersBar · May 31, 2007, 12:09 AM

If you watch Judge Judy, and I do because I'm sad like that, after couples break up engagements the fella almost always asks for the ring back, and gets it!

It's meant to be a gift to show your commitment and love for each other, why would you want to keep it if all that falls apart?

Or are you thinking of ditching your fella, pawning the bling and going on a world cruise? Lol!

iAMfromHuntersBar · May 31, 2007, 12:11 AM

Here you go, read it from the lawyers mouth;

When Does an Engagement Ring Have to Be Returned?

jeremy4719 · Jun 23, 2007, 09:03 PM

I think regardless if you end the engagement on a good note or bad one, you should give it back... It represents love and the future you should have together... Keeping it only proves two things... One that you are holding onto something that is now over for some odd reason... Secondly it says that you want some free money (pawning it)... It was bought by the other person and should be given back to them... The respectful thing to do is return it... That's my thoughts on this one ;)

Clough · Jun 23, 2007, 09:23 PM

I concur with the answers above.

J_9 · Jun 23, 2007, 09:33 PM

If you follow good ole fashioned etiquette...

If you break up with him you give the ring back

If he breaks up with you, you get to keep it.

chuff · Jun 24, 2007, 04:06 PM

The ring was given to you in exchange for you hand in marriage.

If you can't hold up your end of the bargin, you don't get the prize.

xXxsweetxXx · Jun 29, 2007, 09:29 PM

Lol I CAN AGREE WITH EVERYONE HERE, I just thought seeing as thoe it was given to me, then its mine to keep you know? Im happily engaged, just was curious about it. Me and my fiancé talked about it, so I was just curious, because all my fam + friends told me its mine accourding to "law" its mine to keep. Im not after free money, or anything like that *giggles* I make way more then him ;) But thanks for all responses.-P.s--->

Good ole fashioned etiquette? What type of etiquette is taking back what you gave some one? LOL
Byes and thanks again :D

excon · Jun 30, 2007, 06:22 AM

Hello again, sweet:

Here are the legal and moral factors you are NOT considering.

A gift, is a gift, is a gift... Except when it's not.

In the eyes of the law, a gift is defined as something given without conditions. However, when an item, like a ring, is given in contemplation of an event (like marriage), it is NOT a gift. There ARE conditions attached to it. It's like a down payment or a deposit. You wouldn't consider those things gifts, would you?

Some people do. We get 'em here all the time. Those same people think they are entitled to keep the engagement ring too.

excon

shygrneyzs · Jun 30, 2007, 06:31 AM

According to Judge Marilyn Milian (People's Court), the engagement ring is based on a promise and when the engagement is broken, the ring goes back to the guy.

s_cianci · Jul 6, 2007, 03:06 PM

Legal issues aside, the customary etiquette is that,if you break up with him, you give it back. If he breaks up with you, you keep it. Now, I have heard of cases where a jilted fiancé has taken his ex-fiancee to court over the return of the engagement ring which he had given her and the judge has ordered her to return it. Such cases generally set a legal precedent to which other judges consider themselves bound.

xXxsweetxXx · Jul 7, 2007, 07:09 PM

*giggles*