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……
In honor of AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) month, LLAGNY’s Graphic Novel Book Group will meet via Zoom on May 21st at noon to discuss They called us enemy by George Takei ( available at NYPL). Please see our LibGuide for past and upcoming titles. Please contact, Eileen Dolan at edolan@NYLI.org to be added to the…
Something to contemplate as you attend Holiday Office parties and tree trimmings….. On December 5, 1933, the 18th Amendment – popularly known as “Prohibition,” was repealed… The 21st Amendment is the only one that repeals a previous amendment. Additionally, it is the the only time an amendment was sent out for ratification by state conventions…
Uniform Commercial Code…. Uniform Telehealth Act… Uniform Probate Code… Who designs and sews up these uniforms anyway, lol? Around since 1892 (and still active!) – the Uniform Laws Commission provides all 50 States with non-partisan and well drafted legislation for vital areas of state statutory law. The ULC has also developed Model Laws. Jurisdictions may…
Event Date: February 25, 2026 · 10:00 AM The New York Law Institute offers members a variety of resources and services including two eBooks collections providing access to over 270,000 eBook titles. We offer the entire West Academic Nutshells series in eBook format, hundreds of ABA titles, and Mathew Bender legal treatises. We also offer…
It’s March, which means it is officially Women’s History Month.… so many great women to celebrate, in so many different roles, all who helped shape the world we are living in….
Like librarians of the present, NYLI‘s William H. Winters made use of the latest technologies while preserving the treasures of the past…. Winters, a Harvard graduate, became New York Law Institute’s Librarian in 1872 and immediately began securing complete sets of Statutes and Session laws of every state as well as obtaining official copies of…
