Hello. Thank you for taking my question. Unfortunately I have a broken engagement. My question is if there is a halacha stipulating who gets to keep the engagement ring?
Thanks.
Answer:
Yes, in cases of a broken engagement each side returns the “gifts” he received to the other party. The reason for this is that these gifts were only given in consideration of a wedding, and if the wedding is off, even the gifts are cancelled.
Therefore the ring will return to the Chassan and gifts he received will revert to the Kallah.
See Even HaEzer 50:3-4.
Sorry to hear about this, and best wishes for the future.
