Planning a wedding can be an exciting and tedious process at the same time. Many couples will go through painstaking lengths to ensure that every detail about their wedding is perfect. That is why it can be devastating if you must call off an engagement is called off for any reason. This could also result in a fight over who has the right to keep the engagement ring. If you need assistance determining whether you are entitled to keep an engagement ring, you should consult with an experienced Fayetteville family law attorney today. Engagement rings are large purchases, and it is important to know who has the right to keep this item if a couple does not make it to the altar. Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP explains who gets to keep an engagement ring if a wedding is called off.
Do You Have to Return an Engagement Ring?
The average wedding in America will cost a couple about $26,000. In Arkansas, most couples will spend between $15,000 to $18,000 on planning a wedding. This amount does not include money that is used to purchase an engagement ring. In the United States, the average cost of an engagement ring is $6,000. When compared to the average cost of a wedding, an engagement ring is not just as a symbol of a couple’s love but also a large investment towards getting married. Therefore, it is understandable to be concerned about who gets to keep a ring if a wedding is canceled.
Like many other states, Arkansas considers an engagement ring to be a conditional gift. A conditional gift is an item that is given to another person with the expectation that they will satisfy a certain future condition to retain the gift. When you propose to another person in Arkansas and gift them with an engagement ring, the future condition that is implied is that you will marry this person in the near future. If the wedding does not occur, then the person who purchased the ring is entitled to ask for the ring back.
To learn more about Arkansas laws concerning engagement rings, you should speak with an experienced Arkansas family law lawyer.
Does it Matter Who Ended the Engagement?
Some states will look into the circumstances of a canceled engagement when determining who gets to keep an engagement ring. For example, if a wedding was called off because one partner’s infidelities were exposed, this could affect who keeps the ring.
At the moment, Arkansas does not have a solid rule for determining who gets to keep a ring if a partner calls off the wedding for infidelity or any other reason. However, the majority of courts in Arkansas will not consider the reason for a canceled wedding when deciding who gets to keep the ring. This means that if your fiancée was unfaithful and you called off the wedding, you will likely have the right to keep the engagement ring if you purchased it.
If you abandon an engagement and your partner refuses to return the ring, you should contact an experienced family lawyer to help you with your claim. Even if you believe that you caused a wedding to be canceled, you have the right to ask for property that is a conditional gift.
It is important to note that the rules regarding engagement rings are not the same once a couple has been married. In Arkansas, once a couple is married, the engagement ring and wedding rings that were exchanged will be considered an unconditional gift. This means that if you get married and a month later you and your spouse begin divorce proceedings, you do not have the right to ask for the engagement or wedding ring back. The State of Arkansas is not concerned about whether the ring was a family heirloom or whether you spent $30,000 on the ring.
Our Springdale Family Law Attorneys Can Help You Pursue an Engagement Ring Claim
If you or a family member are concerned about the return of an engagement ring after a canceled wedding, you should contact an experienced Springdale family law attorney today. At Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP, our team of attorneys possess several years of experience representing clients in complex family law issues. A canceled engagement can be a stressful experience for everyone involved, and we are here to help you through it. Our firm has represented residents of Fayetteville, Springdale, Fort Smith, and across Arkansas and would be proud to represent you. To schedule a confidential legal consultation to discuss your situation, contact Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP (479) 439-9840, or contact us online.