Today we would like to recognize the many sacrifices made by our veterans. To say we appreciate your service is a gross understatement. Your commitment to county over self is a example we should all strive to emulate. As a small token of our thanks, The Durst Firm offers discounted pricing for veterans and those in activity duty. Let us serve you.
Can I keep the ring if we break up?
An engagement ring is both a symbol of love and a significant investment/asset. As a divorce attorney, I am often asked what happens to the ring in the event the relationship ends. Can the woman keep the ring or can her fiancé demand it be returned. AS with many legal questions, the answer I must give is “It depends” As will be discussed below, the timing of the break up is the key factor in what happens to the engagement ring.
Engagement rings are a “conditional gift”
A conditional gift? What does that mean? Under NJ law, engagement rings are considered a conditional gift. This means that certain conditions must be met in order for the recipient to have the right to keep the ring. Given to signify the engagement and intent to marry, the wedding is the condition that must be satisfied in order for ownership to leally transfer to the recipient. Here is where the timing of the breakup is critical. If the relationship ends BEFORE the wedding takes place, the condition has not been satisfied and the ring is to be returned. It does not matter which party ended the engagement. On the other hand (no pun intended) if the wedding does take place and the relationship then ends, the condition HAS been satisfied and the wife can keep the ring.
Of all the issues in family law, this one is pretty clear cut. If you are using a family heirloom as an engagement ring, the law can lead to disappointing results and you would b well served by considering a prenuptial agreement that deals with the return of the ring in the event of a divorce.
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing so do the complications imposed upon our daily lives. While we all wish we could “go back to normal” we are not there yet. The impact of the pandemic has added unique complications to many issues of family law and The Durst Firm has been busy dealing with those issues for our clients.
Parenting time is one area that has been greatly affected. Perhaps one parent works on the frontlines of the pandemic as a health care worker or a police officer. These jobs put that parent at greater risk to catch COVID and thereby potentially the children, family member, and strangers to the virus. The other parent may be genuinely concerned. As are the courts.
As we enter the Fall, it is becoming clear that holiday activities and parenting time will also be impacted. Should your child go trick or treating assuming it is allowed in your locale? What about the traditional family gatherings? A few points to consider.
First, address these concerns NOW. The courts are open but backlogged. Any motions that are filed will take time to resolve. Also, courts are reluctant to decided holiday parenting time issues on an emergent basis by way of an order show cause.
Second, consider your travel requirements. NJ has been vigilant in identifying those states that present an elevated risk. Should you take your child to such a state? What about quarantine requirements? The guidelines are to quarantine for 14 days after travelling to a state on the list. Can you meet this guideline?
Third, whether you and the children are travelling or remaining at home, will you be exposed to extended family members, relatives, and friends. Are any of them coming from a state on the quarantine list? how do you know that your guests are healthy and have been following the best practices to stay healthy? Are you taking any measure to safeguard the children from the risks associated with group settings?
There are no easy answers to these questions and both parents should be diligent in their safeguarding the children and themselves. Flexibility is also warranted in these trying times. If you have concerns over the upcoming holidays and parenting time contact The Durst Firm to see how we can help.
Attorneys in NJ are required to earn continuing legal education (CLE) credits in order to maintain our license. And while we do so for this reason, at The Durst Firm we engage in CLE in order to stay update on the law so we can better serve our clients.
Today and tomorrow we will be participating in the Mercer County Bar Association’s Xtreme CLE program
As we continue to be mired in the COVID-19 pandemic, the NJ family courts continue to operate in a virtual environment. Having conducted multiple hearings by phone and video, I can say that judges, court staff, attorneys, and litigants are all doing their best in this new environment.
One consequence of conducting court hearings and trials by video is that there has been a gradual loss of decorum. During a recent meeting with the Mercer County Family Court judges the expressed their displeasure over this trend. After listening to their observations, I offer the following suggestions:
Remember that your judge can see all that is going on. Credibility is critically important in family court. Conduct yourself in a manner designed to promote your credibility.
We fight so you don’t have to
