Breach of Promise to Marry: Any Liability?
By cuddleme01
@cuddleme01 (2725)
Philippines
February 1, 2007 10:22am CST
do you believe that a person who has promised marriage to someone but did not fulfill that promise should be made liable? why? normally a person who promises and breaks that promise is not liable. we can do nothing about it. but what if it is breach of promise to marry should there be any liability?
6 people like this
7 responses
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I would agree as well that there should not be any liability if someone were to change their mind about getting married. Things happen during a relationship where one person may not feel comfortable marrying the other person. Things do not always work out. A person has the right to change their mind so I would not make them liable for anything.
1 person likes this
@yanjiaren (9031)
•
1 Feb 07
that is an interesting question...
if the marriage preperations have been made and so many expenses have been incurred then the person that breaches the marriage contract should pay all the expenses..if no expenses have been made...then that person should at least conpensate the other for the investment of their emotions at least a nice parting gift..as a kind of apology..i think that would showe good manners at least and show the other party that they counted for something..it is not the money ..it is the invested emotions and devotion thast person gave..
1 person likes this
@cuddleme01 (2725)
• Philippines
1 Feb 07
nice thinking yanjiaren. thank you for sharing that.
1 person likes this
@AskAlly (3625)
• Canada
1 Feb 07
I've not heard of that! I don't think it should be taken that far. Obviously the person that backed out of the engagement is no longer in love. So why prolong the agony?
The only controversy I have heard it who gets to keep the engagement ring. I believe there have been several cases where if the ring was a family heirloom it must be returned. Otherwise I do not know the protocol.
@Anakata2007 (1785)
• Canada
1 Feb 07
No I don't think so. That will only cause people who were smart enough to realize they weren't doing the right thing, to marry anyways. That would incrase the divorce rate. I know it hurts to have someone change their mind, but really you have to think that the person who changed their mind was doing the other person a favour. They were realizing it wasn't what they wanted to do, and they were saving the potential bride and groom years of heartache, lots of money, (for wedding and for the eventual divorce) and if there would have been kids involved, it gets even more serious. I think if more people changed their mind about marrying, or at least thought longer and harder about it, that the divorce rate would be less.
1 person likes this
@joanana (770)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Marriage is a commitment and I don't think that someone should have to promise to mary the person let alone be held to it. Marriage is supposed to be about love and spending your life with that person. How can a marriage based on a promise that was forced and enforced survive?
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
26 Feb 10
Technically, there is liability, but it is limited.
Basically, if a guy asks a girl to marry him, and gives her a ring...if HE cancels the wedding, she gets to keep the ring as 'damages' for 'breach of promise'. If she cancels, she has to give it back.
@Lydia1901 (16351)
• United States
21 Mar 07
The way I see it is if you promised to be with that someone forever and break that promise, you should make sure that you mean it before saying it. Because I don't think it is fair for the other person in the marriage who didn't break the promise. Basically, if you're not sure about the promise, don't make one.
