Massachusetts Court Rules on Engagement Ring Return

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that an engagement ring, valued at $70,000, must be returned to the purchaser if a wedding is called off, regardless of who is at fault. This decision overturns a long-standing precedent that required judges to consider who was responsible for the breakup. The case involved Bruce Johnson and Caroline Settino, whose engagement ended amidst accusations of infidelity, which Settino denied. Despite a trial judge initially ruling in Settino's favor, the supreme court sided with Johnson, aligning with modern legal trends that treat engagement rings as conditional gifts. This ruling has been praised by Johnson's attorney, while Settino's lawyer expressed disappointment. The decision reflects evolving perspectives on the legal treatment of engagement gifts in the U.S.