What do I do from here?

[petee]

What exactly are you going to do with the ring. Did you get her to sign for it as a loan? Whilst it is sad it doesn't mean you give everything back to each other. 

You need to move on.

[Sanch62]

17 minutes ago, petee said:

What exactly are you going to do with the ring. Did you get her to sign for it as a loan? Whilst it is sad it doesn't mean you give everything back to each other. 

You need to move on.

I don’t know the laws where you live, but an engagement ring is not a gift in the US, it’s a contract based on a promise. It’s often something handed down in families or purchased to symbolize a proposal and acceptance of an agreement. The courts view it that way.

I’d send both a text and an email that offer her 48 hours to respond with a date and time I can expect to receive the ring back before I file a small claim with her local court.

You can list your other belongings in the claim, but you cannot reclaim anything you’ve given her as a gift. Gifts are not contracts, they are freely given.

Don’t add anything personal to these messages about the ring and your list of possessions to reclaim, as these will serve as your court documents as proof of your request for the property.

You will likely never need to reach the court. Most people want to avoid court and will comply before you file, but if not, you must file or lose credibility. Once served a summons for a court date, most people comply quickly to avoid the need to appear. When you receive your property, you can withdraw the claim.

[petee]

40 minutes ago, Sanch62 said:

I don’t know the laws where you live, but an engagement ring is not a gift in the US, it’s a contract based on a promise. It’s often something handed down in families or purchased to symbolize a proposal and acceptance of an agreement. The courts view it that way.

Weddings

 

I’d send both a text and an email that offer her 48 hours to respond with a date and time I can expect to receive the ring back before I file a small claim with her local court.

You can list your other belongings in the claim, but you cannot reclaim anything you’ve given her as a gift. Gifts are not contracts, they are freely given.

Don’t add anything personal to these messages about the ring and your list of possessions to reclaim, as these will serve as your court documents as proof of your request for the property.

You will likely never need to reach the court. Most people want to avoid court and will comply before you file, but if not, you must file or lose credibility. Once served a summons for a court date, most people comply quickly to avoid the need to appear. When you receive your property, you can withdraw the claim.

You are only partly correct.

it’s possibly a ‘conditional gift, which is as you describe.

it could be an ‘unconditional gift’, so the recipient keeps it. 
or lastly it could be a ‘fault based conditional gift’, where if the guy finishes it, or is at fault the recipient keeps the ring if they want.

We don’t know what state they are in, but not all states are the same.

Its worth googling if you need more clarity.

[stillafool]

15 hours ago, Brokenheartedman12 said:

I did, she won’t reply! Even asked if I should give her stuff to someone and nothing!!

She isn't replying because she doesn't want to give the ring back.   That is not fair to you.  She thinks if she keeps ignoring you, you'll give up.  I wouldn't if I were you.

[introverted1]

On 6/30/2026 at 9:58 AM, Sanch62 said:

I don’t know the laws where you live, but an engagement ring is not a gift in the US, it’s a contract based on a promise. It’s often something handed down in families or purchased to symbolize a proposal and acceptance of an agreement. The courts view it that way.

I’d send both a text and an email that offer her 48 hours to respond with a date and time I can expect to receive the ring back before I file a small claim with her local court.

You can list your other belongings in the claim, but you cannot reclaim anything you’ve given her as a gift. Gifts are not contracts, they are freely given.

Don’t add anything personal to these messages about the ring and your list of possessions to reclaim, as these will serve as your court documents as proof of your request for the property.

You will likely never need to reach the court. Most people want to avoid court and will comply before you file, but if not, you must file or lose credibility. Once served a summons for a court date, most people comply quickly to avoid the need to appear. When you receive your property, you can withdraw the claim.

This is excellent advice.  I think the only thing I would add is that you should send your notice via certified mail with return receipt. Then, while you file in court, she cannot claim not to have received your text/email (for example, if she has blocked you).

[stillafool]

On 6/30/2026 at 9:58 AM, Sanch62 said:

I don’t know the laws where you live, but an engagement ring is not a gift in the US, it’s a contract based on a promise. It’s often something handed down in families or purchased to symbolize a proposal and acceptance of an agreement. The courts view it that way.

I’d send both a text and an email that offer her 48 hours to respond with a date and time I can expect to receive the ring back before I file a small claim with her local court.

You can list your other belongings in the claim, but you cannot reclaim anything you’ve given her as a gift. Gifts are not contracts, they are freely given.

Don’t add anything personal to these messages about the ring and your list of possessions to reclaim, as these will serve as your court documents as proof of your request for the property.

You will likely never need to reach the court. Most people want to avoid court and will comply before you file, but if not, you must file or lose credibility. Once served a summons for a court date, most people comply quickly to avoid the need to appear. When you receive your property, you can withdraw the claim.

I agree this is excellent and valuable advice.  OP you should do this today so you can get your ring back.  The nerve.

[Brokenheartedman12]

I feel very lost right now, I made several post the last couple weeks about my fiance and I splitting up. We were together 3.5 years, currently go through no contact for about 3 weeks. I feel very lost without her throughout my days wondering what to do. We did everything together, part of me is hopeful she reaches out sometime, because feeling like strangers right now makes me absolutely sick. The break up was civil and not really any heated words thrown at each other. We did remove each other on socials. This is one of the toughest things I had to do as I was gearing up to be a husband that can support her and our future family. What do you guys do during no contact? Did anyone’s ex ever reach out? She’s being very avoidant atm.

[Alpacalia]

About the hope she might reach out: that hope is normal, but it’s also something to be careful with. Some exes do come back into contact later. Many don’t. And even when they do, it’s often not predictable or on a timeline that helps you heal.

All my exes have reached out after we broke up, but I was also always the one to end the relationship and for me, I had no interest in going back.

Structuring your recovery around “maybe she’ll come back” tends to keep you emotionally stuck in the same loop you’re already suffering in.

Edited Saturday at 02:21 PM by Alpacalia

[Brokenheartedman12]

It’s hard to accept we use to be together almost everyday to no communication. I don’t want to be strangers, I feel like we ended it and she still has all my stuff too

[ExpatInItaly]

4 hours ago, Brokenheartedman12 said:

It’s hard to accept we use to be together almost everyday to no communication. I don’t want to be strangers

And these are normal feelings after a break-up. It takes time to adjust to not having that person as your constant companion. You're in new territory here and it will take a while before you settle in to that. 

As for not being strangers, it is often for the best to have that space in the immediate aftermath. It feels foreign and disorienting but you to first acclimate to being apart. After the sting has passed, it may be possible to have some platonic contact again. But in my experience, in time, the desire to maintain some sort of contact often fades anyway. I have a couple exes from long-term relationships that I'm not in touch with anymore. Nothing terrible happened, but we simply moved on with our respective lives and contact naturally fizzled out. I wish them the best, but don't miss having them in my life either. 

[Brokenheartedman12]

Just got a text from a friend, she gave all my stuff to them. This hurts so bad, I love her so much and I respect her. I really hate the fact we just become strangers now. I really wanted her to be the one. I’m going to miss her company and doing our little hobbies together. I feel like I lost my best friend, my love. The hardest part is having to accept this is my reality