New York case law is clear, ruling in 1971 that an engagement ring “is in the nature of a pledge for the contract of marriage” and the recipient is required “upon demand, to return the ring on the theory that it constituted a conditional gift” (Lowe v. Quinn, 27 NY2d 397).
And, what if the breakup wasn’t mutual or even your idea? Way back in 1992, NY Courts ruled that “whether Defendant was at fault for the breakup of the engagement is wholly irrelevant to his right to recover possession of an engagement ring that he …gave to defendant in contemplation of marriage “(Gagliardo v. Clemente; 180 AD2d 551). So the diamond (or perhaps cubic zirconia!) must be returned!
So, this Valentine’s Day, if the proposal ends with a “yes,” we hope you mean it…. unlike discarded broken pie-crust, a broken engagement means a return of the ring……
Wartime aide-de-camp to George Washington? Involvement with Aaron Burr? Fatal Duel in New Jersey? No, it’s not the guy on the ten-dollar bill, founder of The NY Post, and subject of Broadway’s phenomenal hit. It’s Henry Brockholst Livingston (1757-1823), U.S. Supreme Court Justice and participant in a 1798 duel that killed James Jones! …
Juneteenth became a Federal Holiday when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021…. And here at The New York Law Institute, we believe one of the best ways to celebrate Juneteenth is to learn more about the Holiday…. ProQuest Congressional is always a great place to begin researching any Federal Legislative…
Not sure what Staten Island Chuck or his more famous cousin Punxsutawney Phil will be accurate in their prognostications…. But I’m sure as my own shadow that you’ll find these NYLI Animal Law resources useful….. And let’s not forget looking up legislation (& legislative intent) regarding endangered species law…. ProQuest Congressional (included with NYLI membership!)…
Created during the Cold War to commemorate the Rule of Law as opposed to totalitarianism, the ABA continues to create themes for the celebration of Law Day as well as special programs…. Start off your Law Day by listening to ABA President Mary Smith and Law Librarian of Congress Asilhan Bulut discuss this year’s theme…
When Americans think of famous defense attorneys, they often think of those with celebrity defendants . The more historically minded think of Clarence Darrow. And is there a better known fictional defense attorney than T.V.’s Perry Mason? Former NYLI President James T. Brady had celebrity clients, set a historical legal precedent, and was one of…
