If I asked a women to marry me and she said yes but later changed her mind, can she keep the engagement ring?
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If I asked a women to marry me and she said yes but later changed her mind, can she keep the engagement ring?
She moved in with me for 3 or 4 weeks. I bought her a $800 wedding ring. Then I came home one day and she had packed up and left,taking the ring with her. Does she have to give it back if she changes her mind?
Asked on December 22, 2012 under Family Law, Alabama
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Most courts consider an engagement ring to be what is known as a "conditional gift". That means, it is a gift given on condition that a future event occur; for example in your case, given in contermplation of marriage). If that event does not occur, then the peron who has fiven the ring has the right to get it back. In other words, when an engagement is broken the would-be-bride must return the ring.
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