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Legal Topics: Engagement Rings

In 2001, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that, "When two parties engaged to be married decide to abandon their plans for future marriage, the engagement ring shall be returned to the donor regardless of fault." Benassi vs. Back & Neck Pain Clinic, Inc., 629 N.W.2d 475 (Minn. Ct. App. 2001).

Not all states agree with Minnesota. For more discussion of the issues, see Returning an Engagement Ring from Nolo. Also, Rights in Respect of Engagement and Courtship Presents When Marriage Does Not Ensue, 44 ALR 5th 1.

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