WEBERG LAW

Family Law and Mediation

Johnson v. Settino

In the case of “Johnson v. Settino,” Bruce Johnson sought the return of an engagement ring and wedding bands after ending his engagement to Caroline Settino. The couple had planned to marry in September 2018, but the relationship deteriorated due to Johnson’s suspicions of Settino’s fidelity, which were later found to be unfounded. Johnson had been financially generous, paying for gifts and part of Settino’s dental surgery. After the breakup, Settino retained the jewelry, and Johnson filed a lawsuit for their return. The trial court initially ruled in favor of Settino, applying a fault-based analysis, but the Appeals Court reversed this decision, stating that fault should not determine the outcome. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ultimately adopted a no-fault approach, ruling that engagement rings are conditional gifts given with the expectation of marriage. Consequently, the court ordered Settino to return the engagement ring and wedding band to Johnson, and remanded the case for recalculation of prejudgment interest related to Settino’s dental procedure costs.

Family Law

Divorce

Mediation

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