Breaking Down the Case
The story begins in 2016 when Johnson and Settino began dating. By the following summer, the relationship had blossomed to the point where Johnson, seeking his happily-ever-after, proposed to Settino. With her father’s blessing, he offered her a stunning $70,000 diamond engagement ring, a symbol of what he hoped would be a lifelong commitment. But as we all know, love stories can take unexpected turns.
The “Conditional Gift” Clause
In family law, an engagement ring is often treated as a “conditional gift”—essentially, a gift that only fully transfers ownership if a specific condition, like marriage, is fulfilled. This concept is grounded in what’s often called the “fault rule.” Under Massachusetts law, if a couple called off the engagement, the ring’s ownership would hinge on who was “at fault” for the breakup. Historically, the ring’s ownership could go to the person “without fault” if they were seen as an “injured” party in the relationship’s end. This case would ultimately force Massachusetts to reconsider this long-standing rule.
