Where the Ring Goes in Texas if the Marriage or Engagement Ends

(Longview, Texas) - Marriage is not the glitz and glamour you see on one of those cheesy Lifetime movies. There is a lot of work that has to be put in by both the husband and wife to make it all work. Sadly, not all marriages, or even engagements, work out.

The reasons for a split are as diverse as the reasons for falling in love. There are many questions to ask after the fact including who will get the engagement or wedding ring. I dug through Texas law and found the answer.

Where the Ring Goes in Texas if the Marriage or Engagement Ends

I got divorced in 2014. One decision I made was to leave my wedding ring with her. I didn't want it turning into a situation where she could use the value of the ring to come after me. I did the same thing with a very nice watch that was gifted to me by her father.

Did I have to do all of that? In short, no. Texas is a community property state. Meaning anything that is acquired while married is considered both party's property. However, a wedding ring is considered conditional property. Meaning that it is considered the party's separate property.

Where one party kinda gets screwed on this deal is that if there is debt associated with the ring, that debt is the sole responsibility of the person who purchased it. So you still have to pay for it without getting it back. Yes, it's messed up but that is how the law is spelled out in Texas.

What About an Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is a little more complicated. If the person that is proposed to calls off the marriage, the ring will need to be returned to the person who proposed. If the person that proposed calls off the engagement, the ring is not required to be returned to the person who was proposed to.

If a family heirloom is used as the engagement ring, the heirloom is to be returned to the family it belongs to no matter who called off the engagement. If children were born inside of the marriage, it is possible that the heirloom could go to one of them (herlawyer.com).

To Wrap It All Up

If you propose, and the person you propose to calls it off, you can get the ring back.
If you propose and you are the one to call it off, the ring is considered a gift and can't be given back.
If you get married but later divorce, the ring belongs to whoever is wearing it and can't be given back.
If an engagement ring is a family heirloom and the engagement is called off by either person, then it is to be returned to the family. If the couple got married, had kids, but divorced, that heirloom could go to one of the children.