Lindh v. Surman

FORD ELLIOTT, Judge.

This appeal requires resolution of the novel question whether the law of Pennsylvania should permit retention of an engagement ring or its value by the donee, after the donor of the ring breaks their engagement. The facts follow.

Appellee Rodger Lindh (Rodger) asked appellant Janis Surman (Janis) to marry him on August 24,1993. Janis accepted his proposal and Rodger gave Janis a diamond engage-mént ring worth approximately $21,000. Unfortunately, Rodger experienced misgivings about the impending marriage and requested the ring’s return in October of 1993. Janis returned the…