Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Michigan

Engagement ring after break up

If me and my ex fiance went and got an engagement ring for her, and she traded in a ring to cover half of the payment, and the rest is billed to me where as I make monthly payments to the purchase; but there has been a break up since. Since she is not returning the ring, is she responsible for paying off the remainder of the ring purchase. She bought me a wedding band, but she has that in her possession but the balance on the engagement ring is 5 times the amount of the wedding band that is in my name? If I pay the balance, does the ring belong to me, or is there a way that she can become responsible for paying off the balance since she is keeping the ring, and refuses to return it back to me. She calls it a gift. Any response would be greatly appreciated, I still owe 4500.00 on this ring.


Asked on 4/04/07, 7:52 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Morrison Action Defense Center

Re: Engagement ring after break up

Re: engagement ring

As the court of appeals stated in BARRY MEYER, D.O.,v. ROBYN MITNICK (2001)

"....an engagement ring given in contemplation of marriage is an impliedly conditional gift that is a completed gift only upon marriage. If the engagement is called off, for whatever reason, the gift is not capable of becoming a completed gift and must be returned to the donor.

In your case, each party must be returned to their respective original positions within reason.

William Morrison

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Answered on 4/04/07, 11:29 pm


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