Who keeps the ring?

QUESTION: It’s my understanding that a ring that’s given on a holiday may not be returned if the engagement’s broken, as the recipient can say it was a gift rather than part of a contract — St Valentine’s Day Ring

ANSWER: The engagement ring is usually a symbol of love, but unfortunately, if that love fades and the engagement is broken, you’re now dealing with legal opinions.

The law on whether one must return the ring differs between countries and their various jurisdictions.

Example: If a man proposed, bought a ring, and the woman accepted it, in some places the ring is considered a gift conditioned upon marriage

No wedding? He gets his ring back

But if he proposes and hands over that ring on a gift-giving holiday like Valentine’s Day, some courts will say it’s a gift, period

That means it’s not conditioned on marriage and the recipient gets to keep it, sell it, or whatever.

So, if you’re a would-be groom who has worked hard and saved up to buy a sparkling ring for your love, choose your proposal date wisely: Wait till Feb. 15 or any other non-gift-related day Note: Engagements don’t usually end without someone feeling hurt and/or angry

Thus, if there’s no "holiday rule" involved, and you’re the purchaser who wants your ring money back, talk to a lawyer or research local law, first and fast

You may need to file a court action to recover your "personal property."

Or you can just let her/him keep it.

Complicated? Well, not so much as marrying the wrong person, if that’s how you feel

TIP OF THE DAY Who owns the engagement ring post break-up? Find out ahead

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