“Popping the question” and asking for someone’s hand in marriage with an engagement ring can be one of the most important questions asked in one’s lifetime. Presenting someone an engagement ring will likely be one of the most expensive gifts you can give another person. According to recent surveys, most American couples expect to spend between $1,000 and $5,000 on an engagement ring with the average cost for an engagement ring over $6,000. Alex Rodriguez just spent up to $5 million on his engagement ring given to Jennifer Lopez.
Even following a “yes” answer to a proposal, it is the unfortunate reality that sometimes engagements and weddings are called off. After that happens, our clients are often left wondering “Do I have to give my engagement ring back?” or “Can I force my fiancé to return the engagement ring?”
Even if the ring didn’t set you back as much as A-Rod, you will be happy to know that in Louisiana, your fiancé is required to return your engagement ring if the wedding is called off.
Louisiana courts have held that an engagement ring is a conditional gift. That is, one of the conditions of the engagement ring is that you have to get married and if you do not get married, the gift must be returned. See Wardlaw v. Conrad, 18 La. App. 387 (La. App. 2 Cir 1931); Roy v. Florane, 239 La. 749 (La. 1960)