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Return of Engagement Ring?

Give back wedding ringDOES SHE HAVE TO RETURN ENGAGEMENT RING?

Question: In Michigan, if Barry and Robyn get engaged, but the parties break up before getting married, does Robyn have to give the engagement ring back to Barry?

Answer: YES. See Meyer v Mitnick, 244 Mich App 697, 65 NW2d 136 (2001).  In this case, the Michigan Court of Appeals stated that:

“In sum, we hold that 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.”