But The Engagement Ring Is a Family Heirloom!
The law in New Jersey is clear; an engagement ring given to a spouse PRIOR to the wedding is a gift in contemplation of marriage and is, therefore, NOT a marital asset subject to equitable distribution. In plain English, the engagement ring belongs to the recipient and the “giver” has no legal right to get it back nor to receive any value for it. So, what happens when someone gives his/her spouse an engagement ring that is a family heirloom, was his/her mother’s or grandmother’s ring, or has a diamond(s) in it that came from his/her mother or grandmother or...
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