Engagement Rings and Divorce
As a symbol of commitment, men traditionally purchase diamond engagement rings to give to his fiancé at the time of the proposal. These rings have been around for almost a century in the United States and today, men routinely spend thousands of dollars on these rings. When a man gives an engagement ring to his fiancé, it is typically with the optimistic hope that the union is going to last forever, but that is not always the case. If a marriage doesn’t work out, who retains possession of the ring can become a matter of contention.
If you are considering divorce, you need to know that you are not alone. To speak with a qualified legal representative about your legal options, contact the San Jose divorce lawyers of the Law Office of Daniel Jensen, P.C., at 408-296-4100 to schedule a free consultation. We can help you to understand how your property may be divided in divorce.
Who Gets the Ring After Divorce?
The average engagement ring in the United States costs $5,800. This is a lot of money and that is why it is important to understand who is entitled to the ring if the marriage ends in divorce. California state law says the following about engagement rings:
- The “giver” gets the ring back if the “receiver” does not want to get married or if the marriage doesn’t happen
- The “receiver” can keep the ring if the “giver” breaks off the marriage without any reason or fault of the “receiver”
- If the marriage end in divorce, many courts will consider who was at fault
- If the ring is a family heirloom, the couple should talk about who gets it before the marriage
Contact Us
If you have any questions and wish to speak with a professional legal representative, contact the San Jose divorce lawyers of the Law Office of Daniel Jensen, P.C., by calling 408-296-4100. We will offer you the straightforward, knowledgeable, and committed legal representation and counsel that you need.


