What to do with the engagement ring when the engagement is called off?

By: Kathryn M. Cushman

So, a couple goes from being happily engaged to not-so-happily un-engaged. What happens to the ring?

The law in Michigan is pretty clear when it comes to this issue, thanks to the Michigan Court of Appeals in the case of Meyer v Mitnick, 244 Mich App 697 (2001). In that case, the Court held 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.”

It doesn't matter who is at fault... if there is no wedding, the ring goes back!