A Testy Engagement Breakup – Wonder why this one didn’t work out?

Today's news item comes from the Lemon Drop and is about a young lady who after calling off the wedding returned everything except the $17,000.00 engagement ring. This Runaway Bride hails from New York. Women from Boston never seem to act like this. Maybe that's why there isn't a show named The Real Housewives of Boston.

But let's not pick on the ex-fiancé because in every divorce type of action I've witnessed it's a he-said vs she-said story. Her reasons are reported to be other money owed by the former fiancé along with his giving her the ring on her birthday; she claims it was a gift. But this latter claim I don't buy because birthday or not the ring had nothing to do with the birthday; it had to do with marriage. Fact is she was probably a wee bit mad about getting an engagement ring on her birthday and mixing up the two celebratory occasions.  Yeah, that's right guy you screwed it up.

Now the "you owed me for other things" argument I do believe will have some legs with the court. In fact I've blogged about this very issue before. (see below) Although it's not the best article written the message remains true to form - unless you have some argument for being owed some money for wedding expense it's my opinion from reading the law that the ring goes back. In this case she says he skipped out on rent or some other expense and that's her reasoning for holding up return of the ring. That argument the court just may like and adopt it but how will the court form a workable solution? I'd suggest the jilted bachelor get his receipts together because his former fiancé is coming to court making that argument. The question is how will the Court divide something that can't be divided? Meaning let's say he owes her $3,000.00 and the ring is worth $17,000.00 how do you give her a $3,000.00 credit and allow her to keep a $17,000.00 ring as collateral for the debt? That's not likely to happen. My suggestion is she simply sues him for the three grand and gives back the ring. Either that or ask the Court for permission to sell the ring and withhold the money the Court finds he owes her.

Remember ladies it may seem like a good idea to keep that expensive ring but ask yourself where you would ever wear it knowing it's an engagement ring and knowing that love no longer exists. And if you find a new fiancé why would that person ever want to be seen with you wearing this other guy's engagement ring. If he does then he's a cheapskate and you've made an even bigger mistake with saying sure let's get married.

So enough said about this for one day, let's move on to more productive endeavors. Sell the ring and pay off what you owe, move on in life and stop wasting your money on legal fees.

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To read the article forming the basis of this blog read, Woman Calls Off Wedding, but Won't Give Up $17,000 Ring - Lemondrop.com

For additional reading see these posts that are posted in The Verdict.

Family Law: Breaking up is hard to do.

Family Law - Broken Heart - Must I Give Back the Engagement Ring ...

2/25/09 - Question: My daughter's 'ex' future father-in-law is asking her to return her engagement ring over a year after his son broke off the engagement. ...
www.lombardilaw.com/.../family-law-broken-heart-must-i-give-back-the-engagement-ring.cfm

Family Law: Broken hearts and other disappointments | Lombardi Law ... But who gets the engagement ring when the wedding is called off? In this article Steve Lombardi discussed the hows and questions to ask about whether this ... www.lombardilaw.com/.../family-law-broken-hearts-and-other-disappointments.cfm

Des Moines Accident Attorney and Iowa Worker's Comp Lawyer ... May 19 DEPOSITION PREPARATION MADE EASY · Family Law: How do I get the engagement ring returned? Auto Safety: Why do car and motorcycle accident cases take so long ... www.lombardilaw.com/

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And while we are talking couple's and how not to self-destruct here is another news report and blog about electronic surveillance of the wife's bedroom activities that didn't make much sense to the court.

Family Law: Electronic surveillance of wife's bedroom activity leads to $22,500 judgment