In NY, is an engagement ring still the man's when the engagement is broken?

[dasco]

He proposed marriage to me on my birthday in the state of New York and I accepted. He gave me an engagement ring; I then began paying on the wedding (close to $2,000). We broke up while I was visiting my mother in Alabama and now he wants "his" ring back.

He broke off the engagement over the phone...said he did not want to marry me. I gave him THREE separate days to change his mind, and he didn't. I have no way of proving this. I only have my mother who had to console me afterwards.

Can he take me to small claims court and sue me for the ring like he is threatening to do? Or am I able to keep it because HE broke off the engagement and he also gave me the ring for my birthday as a gift? I don't think it should be considered conditional because it was my birthday gift.

[kienan]

Customarily you give the ring back to the man... since he bought it

[demarco]

Rings are treated like any other gift: they belong to the recipient as soon as they are given. He can't give you something and then sue you to get it back. Alot of times with broken engagements, however, it is customary to offer the man his ring back. You're by no means compelled to do so, and I frankly wouldn't in your case.

[herald]

Oops, you lost it while swimming at Gulf Shores.

[barclay76]

It's a gift. It's yours.

[Guys, buy cheap rings!!]

[siwili]

I believe this is cultural rather than state law. Usually if the guy breaks the engagement the girl keeps the ring. If the girl breaks the engagement she gives it back. Honey, why do want to keep the ring? It's better to move on and not get in a knot about this. Men come and go.... I know your feelings are hurt and you can move on too.

[aenedleah10]

The rule is usually that the engagement ring typically goes back to the man if the wedding never took place. I think that you should give the ring back to him. After all, why would you want to keep a sentimental object like an engagement ring from him? Then I would go to small claims court to sue him for the shared cost of the wedding that you have already paid.

[iker]

It is not cultural it is a law, but if it doesn't get taken to court then it's up to you to give it back or not. If it is taken to court it would be consider as a gift from him to you and you would not have to give it back. Good luck!

Lmfao oxl!!!!

[eilis]

Because he was the one who broke off the engagement, you are not obligated to return the ring to him. Call it a gift or whatever it takes so that you do not have to return the ring. I think that it stinks that he had the nerve to break it off with you over the phone, rather than man up and face you in person. It also says something about his character that he would actually have the nerve to ask for the ring back. Don't give it back to him, whatever you do. Perhaps you can pawn it and use the funds to help reimburse the loss of what you paid towards the wedding.

And good riddance to that loser, you really dodged a bullet by not marrying that creep.

[unss94]

There is one hard and fast rule. If the ring came from a family member of his (grandma, mother) then the ring definitely goes back. Usually the choice is up to the couple.Traditionally if the man calls off the engagement then the woman keeps the ring. If she calls it off then she returns it. While you might end up in small claims court the judge may decide you get the ring due to your wedding expenses he paid. You could take him to court for his half of the wedding expenses. (you need all your receipts for this). In my world $2000 is alot of money so I am sure it is for you. Depending on the amount of drama you want it might just be easier to give back the ring and consider the $2000 as a life lesson. What would you use the engagement ring for anyway? I called off an engagement a few years ago. kept the ring at his request. Getting married Sat. and had the ring remade into a new ring. That's just one idea.