A recent decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has sparked interest across legal circles. In a case centered around a $70,000 engagement ring, the court ruled that an engagement ring must be returned to the purchaser if the marriage does not take place, regardless of who may have been at fault. This ruling aligns Massachusetts with the majority of jurisdictions, where an engagement ring is considered a conditional gift—given with the expectation of marriage and thus, contingent upon the marriage actually happening.
While Illinois follows similar principles, this ruling offers a chance to examine how Illinois contract law views the conditional nature of engagement gifts and what factors courts might consider in similar cases.
Conditional Gifts in Illinois
Remember what is said when on one knee and presenting the ring: “Will you marry me?” The ring is given in exchange for the promise to marry after the recipient says “Yes!”
In Illinois, engagement rings are seen as conditional gifts, which aligns with the recent Massachusetts ruling. Under Illinois law, gifts generally fall into two categories: absolute and conditional. An absolute gift, once given, is irrevocable and requires no further condition to be met. A conditional gift, however, is given with an implied or express condition, meaning the donor is entitled to the return of the gift if the condition goes unmet. We have written on this subject in the past in a blog post from 2014: Rules of Engagment: The Return of the Ring.
An engagement ring is a prime example of a conditional gift. The condition here is the promise of marriage: when one person presents an engagement ring, the implicit or explicit understanding is, “If you agree to marry me, this ring is yours.” Should the engagement end before marriage, the condition goes unfulfilled, and under Illinois law, the ring typically reverts to the giver.
Fault-Based Approaches in Illinois
In the past, some jurisdictions, including Massachusetts prior to this recent ruling, analyzed which party was at “fault” for the broken engagement when deciding who should keep the ring. Illinois has largely avoided this approach in recent years, moving towards a “no-fault” interpretation. In most Illinois courts, the right to retain or reclaim the engagement ring does not depend on who ended the engagement or why. Instead, the focus is on the unmet condition of marriage. Consequently, if the marriage does not occur, the ring is returned to the giver, regardless of fault.
Contract Law and the Condition of Marriage
From the standpoint of Illinois contract law, an engagement ring can be viewed as a tangible representation of an offer made in anticipation of an agreement: “I offer this ring in consideration for your agreement to marry me.” Should the marriage not take place, the “consideration”—the agreed-upon marriage—is never fulfilled, voiding the conditions under which the ring was presented.
This view aligns with Illinois courts’ general reluctance to apply fault to this transaction. The presence of a conditional contract implicitly guides the decision, leading most Illinois courts to treat the engagement ring as a returnable item if the marriage does not occur, regardless of why the engagement was called off.
Implications for Business Law and Contract Drafting
For Illinois business lawyers, this concept of conditional gifts might be a useful illustration for clients when discussing contracts involving performance-based agreements. Just as an engagement ring is conditional upon marriage, many business transactions and agreements rely on clearly defined performance metrics or outcomes to determine payment or contractual obligations.
In contract drafting, clearly defining the conditions under which assets, compensation, or goods will change hands can prevent disputes and simplify enforcement. Conditionality ensures that, in the absence of agreed-upon conditions, assets are either returned or compensation remains unpaid, similar to how the engagement ring reverts to the giver if no marriage takes place.
Conclusion
The Massachusetts decision brings the state in line with Illinois and other jurisdictions that treat engagement rings as conditional gifts, emphasizing the fulfillment of the marriage condition rather than assessing fault in broken engagements. For Illinois residents, this case serves as a reminder of how engagement rings—and many other conditional agreements—are governed under contract law principles.
As conditional gifts become more universally recognized in the legal arena, Illinois contract law remains consistent in treating such gifts as revocable should the agreed condition go unmet. For those navigating the legal implications of conditional agreements, whether in personal relationships or business transactions, the lessons from this case underline the importance of clarity, conditions, and enforceability in Illinois law.