Reception downpayment after a broken engagement

[karylev]

Our daughter became engaged in December 2007 and in January 2008 we booked a reception hall with a $2500 deposit; the second $2500 depost was due the beginning of April 2008 which we paid. Two weeks later in the middle of April 2008 our daughters fiance broke off the engagement. My daughter had no idea there was a problem in the relationship and it was not a mutual breakup. We live in New Jersey, is the ex-fiance responsible to reimburse us for the $5000 deposit which is non-refundable from the reception hall? Also, is she obligated to return the ring?

 

[Duranie]

I don't see why he would be responsible fo the whole $5000.00. You might be able to sue him for half, but it's going to be hard to prove this is all 100% his fault especially when he did not actually put down the money for the reception. Your daughter was getting married so she would probably be on the hook for half of it. You cannot solely blame him and its doubtful you are getting both sides of the story here.

as far as the ring, that depends on state law. A ring is a promise of marriage, and generally when the marriage does not happen, regardless of who is at fault, the ring gets returned. According to the below website, in NJ a ring is a conditional gift, meaning a marriage must happen for her to keep it.

http://www.engagementringquestions.com/diamond/engagement-broken-off/