Massachusetts law about engagement rings

Cases and web sources on what happens to an engagement ring after a breakup.

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Massachusetts laws

MGL c. 260, § 2A Tort, contract to recover for personal injuries, and replevin actions
"Except as otherwise provided, actions of tort, actions of contract to recover for personal injuries, and actions of replevin, shall be commenced only within three years next after the cause of action accrues." Replevin is an action seeking return of personal property wrongfully taken or held by the defendant.

Selected cases

Johnson v. Settino, 495 Mass. 42 (2024) 
"We now join the modern trend adopted by the majority of jurisdictions that have considered the issue and retire the concept of fault in this context; where, as here, the planned wedding does not ensue and the engagement is ended, the engagement ring must be returned to the donor regardless of fault."

Web sources

Returning an engagement ring, Nolo, 2022.
Discusses the issue of engagement rings nationally.

What happens to the engagement ring in a broken engagement?, Findlaw.
Explains the 3 ways courts across the country may treat an engagement ring. Please note that Massachusetts has adopted the no-fault approach. Refer to Johnson v. Settino (2024).

Print sources

Cause of action for recovery of gift given in contemplation of marriage, 63 Causes of Action 2d 587 (2014 with 2026 update available on Westlaw).

Family law and practice: With forms by Charles P. Kindregan, 4^th ed. (Mass Practice v.1), Thomson Reuters, 2013 with supplement.
Section 18:1: The engagement to marry.

Procedural forms annotated, 6^th ed., (Mass Practice v. 10B and 10C), Thomson Reuters, 2009 with supplement.
Section 79:77: Interrogatories in equitable replevin of engagement ring; Section 115:2: Equitable action to recover engagement ring.

”Property law –‘Til court do us part: Massachusetts SJC holds donor entitled to ring upon broken engagement – Johnson v. Settino”, 245 N.E.3d 196 (Mass. 2024), by Abigail Walsh, 31 Suffolk J. Trial & App. Advoc. 63 (2025-2026).
Provides an analysis of the SJC overturning Massachusetts’s fault-based precedent in Johnson v. Settino.

"'The more I give to thee, the more I have: The curious economics of engagement" by Roger L. Michel, Jr., 105 MALR 129 (July, 2025).

Last updated:	October 14, 2026