One question we hear quite often has to do with who actually owns the engagement ring in a relationship. Is it a gift? Does it become “marital property?” This is something which has actually been ruled on several times in Ohio law and may surprise a lot of people.

“CONDITIONAL” GIFTS

The law in Ohio states that engagement rings are what are known as “conditional” gifts, or gifts that remain with the party it was given to, so long as a condition is met. In this case, the condition is that of marriage. Therefore, if the wedding is called off and marriage never happens, the original owner still owns the ring and has the right to take it back.

However, this rule only applies to engagement rings, and not to any other more usual gifts that may be given. Say one party also gives the other another engagement gift of some sort; that gift would not be required to be returned.

If you need assistance with this or any other form of family law, do not hesitate to reach out to the Columbus family attorneys at Weis Law Group. Our team has earned numerous industry honors for our dedication to quality service and courtroom excellence, including distinction from Super Lawyers, a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo, and inclusion in U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 list of the Best Law Firms.

Schedule an initial consultation with Weis Law Group and get the legal assistance you need now by calling (614) 732-5566 .