An engagement ring is typically a very expensive purchase. The spouse who purchased the ring may want to be awarded the ring as part of a divorce proceeding, especially if it turns out to be a short-term marriage.
While this desire may be understandable in certain circumstances, under Minnesota law an engagement ring is consider a “conditional gift”– a gift that is given with certain conditions attached to it before the gift is final. In the case of an engagement ring, the condition is marriage. If the condition (marriage) is satisfied (you become legally married), the gift is complete (the ring belongs to the receiving spouse).
So, what does all of this mean during a divorce proceeding? In short, it means that the engagement ring is the non-marital property of the spouse receiving the gift, which means that the receiving spouse is awarded the engagement ring as part of a divorce and the spouse who purchased the ring is not reimbursed.
If you have any questions about how an engagement ring is treated in a Minnesota divorce, please call me today at 952-800-2025 or reach out via our online contact form to set up your free consultation.
