WEBERG LAW

Family Law and Mediation

De Cicco v. Barker

In the case of “De Cicco v. Barker,” the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts dealt with a dispute over an engagement ring. The case arose when the woman broke off the engagement without adequate cause or fault on the man’s part. The court ruled that the man was entitled to have the engagement ring returned to him. This decision was based on the understanding that the ring was given on the implied condition that the couple would marry. The court’s decision was not hindered by the Massachusetts statute G. L. c. 207, § 47A, which was enacted in 1938. This case highlights the legal principle that engagement rings are conditional gifts, contingent upon the marriage taking place. If the engagement is broken without fault by the giver, the ring should be returned.

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