Clinton Township Newsletter

2 9 f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 Frank F. Apgar & Sons Septic Tank Cleaning Family Owned Business Annandale 908.735.5248 www.ApgarSonSeptic.com Combined, Anthony P. Kearns and Victor A. Rotolo have been serving the local community for over 60 years. Call Kearns Rotolo today 908.534.7900 to discuss any legal situation confronting you. Your half-hour consultation is free of charge! Their attorneys and staff are ready to serve your legal needs. Kearns Rotolo Law . 502 US 22 West, Lebanon, NJ 08833. www.KearnsRotoloLaw.com B r o K e n e n g a g e m e n t S : W H o K e e p S t H e r i n g ? February has long been synonymous with love and romance. Because of this, many people take the opportunity this month to pop the question, especially on Valentine's Day. And while we wish those who do a long and happy life together, it unfortunately doesn't always work out that way. So, what does happen when an engagement is called off? Who gets the ring? The answer depends on where you live. Most people consider an engagement ring to be a gift and think that a gift, once given, should belong to the recipient. A few states share that viewpoint. Most, however, have a different opinion. The majority of states, including New Jersey, consider an engagement ring to be a conditional gift, i.e., one given with the expectation that something else will happen; in this case, a wedding. Under the law, a conditional gift remains the property of the giver until the condition with which it is given is satisfied. After that, the recipient gains complete ownership. In New Jersey this means that if the marriage later ends in divorce, the engagement ring is not subject to equitable distribution. If the couple breaks up before the wedding, however, the condition is never met and the ring goes back to the giver, regardless of who initiated or caused the breakup. But there may be exceptions. Have you ever heard the warning against giving an engagement ring as a holiday gift? That's because under certain circumstances, the court could consider something given on a holiday typically connected with gift-giving (think birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day) as simply that – a gift without condition. As such, the court may take into account who instigated the breakup when deciding ownership of the ring. Of course, a prenuptial agreement could resolve all of this provided provisions for the engagement ring are included. Before Cupid's arrow spurs you to hand over Grandma's heirloom ring, it could benefit you to take the time to fully understand your state's position on engagement ring ownership. – Victor Rotolo 502 U.S. 22 Lebanon, NJ 08833 908∙534∙7900 www.KearnsRotoloLaw.com Tony Kearns and Vic Rotolo Working Together to Protect What's Important to You "There is no remedy for love but to love more." ~ Henry David Thoreau "Thinking of you keeps me awake. Dreaming of you keeps me asleep. Being with you keeps me alive." ~ Unknown • Feb 3 2 pm Paul Elwood Trio Concert • Feb 8 6:30 pm Emergency Preparedness w/Jamie Novak (Zoom) • Feb 9 1 pm Matinees at North County Branch* • Feb 14 1 pm Romantic Matinee* for Valentines Day • Feb 16 1 pm Matinees at North County Branch* • Feb 17 2 pm Jamie and Nancy DeJesus Concert • Feb 21 2 pm Macrame class • Feb 22 7 pm Exciting Discoveries in Art History (Zoom) • Feb 23 1 pm Matinees at North County Branch* • Feb 28 2 pm Singing Bowls with Bill Noren [*Due to licensing restrictions, we're not allowed to publish the movie titles! We mostly show Oscar-nominated and/or highly acclaimed films.] Rain/snow dates are scheduled for outdoor concerts, so please check our website or call: 908.730.6135 if inclement weather. n o r t H c o U n t y B r a n c H l i B r a r y ' S U p c o m i n g e v e n t S Visit the Library and enjoy our programs! Please register for events! Use our LibCal: www.hclibrary.us/home, or call: 908.730.6135 For more information, registration help, and adult programs and outdoor concerts at our HQ location in Flemington, please call: 908.730.6135, or visit our website at: www.HCLibrary.us For information and events for children, visit our website at: www.HCLibrary.us, or call: 908.730.6834.

• Cover