If a couple got engaged and they broke up what would happen to the ring the man gave the woman?

[Anonymous]

[EmmaMary]

This would greatly depend on who broke up with who... It's normal practice (sometimes even law) that if the woman breaks off the engagement, then she is honoured bound to return the ring.

If the male breaks off the engagement, then normally he forfeits the return of the ring.

[EmmaMary]

Thank you for the MHGirl.

[WhitneySnow]

It depends on whose fault the breakup is

[abc3643]

Generally and LEGALLY (*), ...
If she broke it off, then she must give the ring back.
If he broke it off, then she can keep it.

Generally, ...
If GIVER does the breaking-up, then RECEIVER keeps the ring/gift.
If RECEIVER does the breaking-up, then RECEIVER must return to GIVER the ring/gift.

There is an exception...
If the person doing the breaking-up does so because the other person committed an act that would be that would be grounds for divorce had the marriage occurred, then it is as if that other person is the one doing the break-up.

(*) I want to be clear why this is a legal issue. When an engagement ring is given and accepted, then there is a legal intent to marry. It is sort of a legal contract that a marriage will occur. The ring or gift is part of the contract - the ring is kept as part of the fulfillment of the contract meaning the marriage occurs. If the contract is ended, then the situation must revert back and thus the ring/gift (or equivalent monetary value) must be given back.

Let me summarize what I wrote with examples:

Bob gives Sue an engagement ring. She accepts. They plan on getting married.

Example 1: Bob dumps Sue.
Since Bob is the giver, but he did the dumping, Sue keeps the ring.

Example 2: Sue dumps Bob.
Since Bob is the giver, but she did the dumping, Sue must give the ring back.

Example 3: Sue dumps Bob after she catches him cheating with Mary.
Since Bob cheated and adultery is grounds for divorce, Sue's dumping of Bob is justifiable; Bob's actions led to the dumping and he should have known that. Thus, Bob's actions are that real dumping action. Thus, it is as if Bob did the dumping, so Sue can keep the ring.

Example 4: Bob dumps Sue after he catches her cheating with John.
Since Sue cheated and adultery is grounds for divorce, Bob's dumping of Sue is justifiable; Sue's actions led to the dumping and she should have known that. Thus, Sue's actions are that real dumping action. Thus, it is as if Sue did the dumping, so Sue must give the ring back to Bob.

Example 5: Bob dumps Sue after he catches her cheating with John. In response, she destroys the ring.
Since Sue cheated and adultery is grounds for divorce, Bob's dumping of Sue is justifiable; Sue's actions led to the dumping and she should have known that. Thus, Sue's actions are that real dumping action. Thus, it is as if Sue did the dumping, so Sue must give the ring back to Bob. But, since there is no ring, Sue must give Bob cash for the value of the ring - which is probably the same as what Bob paid for the ring.

[Fireguy17]

depending on the state, usually it goes back to the guy unless it was given on a holiday, Christmas, birthday then it is considered a gift.
Otherwise it signifies the relationship, and if/when the relationship ends, there is no further need for the ring.

[slatyb]

Legally it’s hers. But if she breaks it off she should return it. It’s a silly tradition created by the DeBeers diamond cartel.

[Anonymous]

She sells it for money.

[Asker]

I was waiting for this 🤣

[Opinion Owner]

😆 🤣 I had to do it. It's what I would do.

[maximumpower]

ring should be returned - same as with a divorce.