Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Just asked my g/f to marry me 10/22/11 an she said yes, then an old male friend showed up 11/12/11 and we started having problems, 12/10/11 she called it off an split up then he moved in with her. She wont give my engagement ring back so i want to take her to district mag and file a civil complaint, i live in york pa and i heard in PA engagment rings are a conditional gift and apon the termination of the engagement i have the right to get it back. Just want to know if that is law since i dont want to end up losing money incase i dont win and giving her anymore satisfation. Anyone help


Asked on 2/07/12, 7:15 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Yes. See a PA Supreme Court case called Lindh v. Surman.

http://www.courts.state.pa.us/opposting/supreme/out/j-35-99mo.pdf

If you don't want to read the whole case, here is the important point:

"We ... hold that the donor is entitled to return of the ring even if the donor broke the engagement."

You gave the ring and thus would be called the "donor." Girlfriend received the ring so she is the "donee."

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Answered on 2/07/12, 11:53 pm


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