Legal Question in Family Law in Kentucky

engagement ring

I have been engaged for around 4 years & we have a 2 year old together but it seems as if it's not going to last. Who gets to keep the ring? Also, I have been paying for a truck that is in HIS name only, what if any right do I have to keep it? He asked me if we were going to do it the easy way by not going to court over child support over our daughter & just figure it out on our own, what would you suggest? Is there any limitations I should try to enforce as far as visitation or the support issue? Thanks.


Asked on 10/12/05, 8:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Suzanne Van Wert Van Wert Brown

Re: engagement ring

Typically in failed engagements, the giver of the ring gets to keep it. Further, even though you have paid for the truck, if it is in his name, it is his truck. You might want to try to recover any amounts you have invested in it from him. There is no common law marriage in Kentucky and the two of you have not been together very long, so depending on the situation, it may not be feasible to try to recover those amounts. Talk to an attorney about that.

As far as child support is concerned, Kentucky has specific statutory guidelines to follow when calculating the required amount of child support. Again, I would recommend you contact an attorney to find out what that amount would be. I would recommend instituting a child support action with your local court, and afterwards, if you can both agree on an appropriate amount, do an agreed order to be entered by the court and put in the court record. That way, if anything happens later on down the line and you need to enforce child support, you have the court order to make it easier on you.

Courts typically frown on trying to limit a natural parent's visitation with his or her child, and I would not recommend trying to. As far as visitation goes, try to remember that your child has two parents and has a right to have relationships with both of you, even though you are separating. In this instance, your focus should not be on your discomfort, but on your child's best interests.

Again, I strongly recommend you contact an attorney and make sure your rights and your child's best interest are adequately protected in this matter.

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Answered on 10/13/05, 10:27 am


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