Rings

What Happens to the Engagement/Wedding Rings?

Engagement rings are expensive. It is not uncommon for people to spend several thousand dollars—or far more—on a ring.

Engagement rings are “conditional gifts” in Florida. A person who receives a ring is only entitled to keep it if they fulfill the “condition” that is-they get married.

In Florida, a person usually must return the engagement ring if they decide not to go through with the marriage or if the relationship is terminated based on mutual consent before marriage. On the other hand, if the party who gave the ring is the person who breaks off the relationship, they are typically not legally entitled to get the ring back.

On the date of a marriage, the conditions are satisfied. After the wedding, the engagement ring/wedding ring is viewed as a pre-marital gift that is not subject to equitable distribution. In other words, a spouse who receives a ring gets to keep it even if there is a divorce. The major exception would be if there is a relevant prenuptial agreement in place.

Finally, it is worth emphasizing the fact that Florida does not have a special statute in place for family heirlooms or wedding/engagement rings that otherwise have strong sentimental value. If you are getting divorced and you want to recover a ring that was passed down through your family, you will need to come to an agreement on that with your spouse.

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