Return of engagement ring

[aajamom2]

We live in Illinois. My daughter's boyfriend broke off their wedding engagement. Does she legally have to return the engagement ring since he terminated the relationship with undue cause?

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by aajamom2

We live in Illinois. My daughter's boyfriend broke off their wedding engagement. Does she legally have to return the engagement ring since he terminated the relationship with undue cause?

In my opinion no, because he was the one who broke it off. However, there are other knowledgeable people here who say differently.

I will tell you though that the resale value of the ring is about 20% of what he paid for it...so its not going to be a big bonus to either of them...unless the engagement was so short that he could actually return it for full credit.

[tigger22472]

Originally Posted by aajamom2

We live in Illinois. My daughter's boyfriend broke off their wedding engagement. Does she legally have to return the engagement ring since he terminated the relationship with undue cause?

This is dependant really on a judge if it were to go that far.

Some look at it as a gift, therefore she wouldn't have to return it.

Others look at it as a contract... (i.e. something for something). Even if a judge looked at it this way they could consider he broke the engagement OR the judge could look at it that the 'contract' was not completed and that each party should return to their status prior to the giving of the ring, of which she would have to return it.

Bottom line is really unless he were to sue her she doesn't need to return it.

[nextwife]

However, if it is a family heirloom, such as his mother's or grandmother's ring, it really does belong in his family, and she really might consider returning it. Personally, I don't understand why any woman would even WANT an expensive keepsake from a man they are NOT marrying.