Breaking Up Is Hard: Who Pays For The Wedding?

If your ex-fiancé ends your relationship and refuses to pay their share of the wedding expenses, you may be able to sue them for these costs if there was a prior agreement to split the costs. However, it is essential to note that the laws governing this situation may vary based on your location. For example, in Texas, breaking an engagement is considered a breach of contract, allowing you to sue for economic, non-economic, and exemplary damages. On the other hand, in New York, you cannot sue for wedding costs unless there was a contractual obligation or a prenuptial agreement. It is always advisable to consult with an attorney to understand your specific legal options.

If there was an agreement to split wedding costs

If you and your ex-fiancé agreed to split the wedding costs and they are now refusing to pay, you may be able to sue them for those costs. This would be on the basis of breach of contract, as the agreement to split costs is a legally binding contract.

However, it is important to note that the laws around this vary depending on your location. For example, in Texas, you can sue for breach of promise to marry, and there are three types of damages that can be recovered: economic, noneconomic, and exemplary. Economic damages are the most likely to be awarded, as they compensate for actual financial loss and can be proven with receipts. Noneconomic damages are less likely, as they cover mental anguish and other non-financial losses, which are harder to prove. Exemplary damages are rare and are intended to punish the defendant rather than compensate the plaintiff.

It is also worth noting that, in some cases, the person who paid for the wedding (in this case, your father) would be the one to sue, and they would need to prove some kind of fraud on the part of your ex-fiancé. Additionally, in most cases, there is a one-year time limit to file a lawsuit for breach of promise to marry.

Therefore, while it may be possible to sue your ex-fiancé for wedding costs if there was an agreement to split costs, the specific circumstances, location, and time frame will play a significant role in the outcome. Consulting an attorney in your jurisdiction for specific advice is highly recommended.

Breach of contract

Breaking an engagement is generally considered a breach of contract. An agreement to be married is a valid and binding contract, and if your ex-fiancé promised to marry you and then broke off the engagement, they have breached that contract.

However, to sue for breach of contract, you must demonstrate that a contract existed in the first place. In the context of wedding planning, this could be a prenuptial agreement, a written contract with vendors, or an oral agreement.

For example, if you and your ex-fiancé agreed to split the wedding costs, you may be able to sue for breach of contract if they refuse to pay their share. This would be considered a breach of an oral agreement.

Additionally, if you had a written contract with a wedding vendor, such as a venue or photographer, and they fail to deliver on their promises, you may have grounds for a breach of contract lawsuit. This could include situations where the vendor cancels unexpectedly, fails to show up, or provides unsatisfactory services or products.

It is important to note that the ability to sue for breach of contract may vary depending on your location, as laws can differ between states. For example, in Texas, you can sue your ex-fiancé for breach of promise to marry and recover economic, non-economic, or exemplary damages. However, in other states, the law may differ.

Furthermore, it is essential to act quickly, as the statute of limitations for filing a breach of contract lawsuit is typically four years from the date of the breach, but this may vary depending on your location.

If you believe you have a case for breach of contract, it is advisable to consult with an attorney who can review the specific details of your case and provide personalized legal advice.

Fraud

In the United States, a broken engagement is considered a breach of contract. If your ex-fiancé promised to marry you and then broke off the engagement, they have breached that contract and you can sue them for damages.

To successfully sue your ex-fiancé for wedding costs, you must prove that they committed fraud. This means that you would need to demonstrate they never intended to marry you and that they maliciously led you to believe otherwise. For example, if your ex-fiancé proposed to you with a ring, this could be considered a contract. If you have evidence that they never intended to marry you and instead proposed solely to humiliate you, you could potentially sue for fraud.

In addition, you may be able to recover economic, non-economic, and exemplary damages. Economic damages compensate for financial losses, such as wedding deposits, and can be proven with receipts. Non-economic damages cover mental anguish, emotional pain, and other non-financial losses, which can be challenging to prove without documentation such as medical records. Exemplary damages are rare and intended to punish the defendant for fraud, malice, or gross negligence.

It is important to note that the laws regarding breach of contract and fraud vary by state. For example, in Texas, you can sue for breach of promise to marry, but the lawsuit must be filed within one year of the breach.

If you believe you have a case for fraud, it is advisable to consult with an attorney who can review your specific circumstances and advise you on your legal options.

Emotional distress

While it is possible to sue an ex-fiancé for emotional distress, it is a difficult case to win and is dependent on several factors.

Firstly, the behaviour of your ex-fiancé must be deemed truly extreme and outrageous. This is a high bar to reach, as insults or impoliteness are not considered extreme and outrageous. The behaviour must exceed all bounds of human decency and be so atrocious that people in a civilised society do not accept it. For example, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled that a wife could sue her ex-husband for emotional distress after he kidnapped and raped her. Plausible threats of violence can also rise to this level if they are so intolerable that they constitute extreme and outrageous conduct.

Secondly, you must show that the emotional distress you suffered was severe. This is a vague standard to meet, and it may be easier to prove if there is a physical manifestation of the distress. Physical evidence of emotional turmoil might include insomnia, headaches, ulcers, and difficulty eating. You should document these symptoms if you have them. In some instances, the defendant’s conduct might be so extreme that the jury can easily assume that severe distress would result.

Thirdly, you must prove causation. This means showing a direct, reasonably foreseeable link between the conduct and your injuries. For example, if you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and PTSD, and your psychiatrist says your symptoms were caused by your ex's conduct, a court could find that the two are linked.

Finally, you must be aware of the statute of limitations, which is the time limit on your ability to sue. This varies depending on your jurisdiction, but it can range from one to six years.

It is important to note that these cases are challenging to win, as relationships can be difficult, and people can behave badly towards each other. Additionally, state laws vary widely on this issue, so it is essential to consult with an experienced personal injury or family law attorney to discuss your specific circumstances and the laws in your state.

Financial abuse

• Exploiting your resources: Controlling or spending your partner's money without their consent, using their assets for personal benefit, or demanding access to their paycheck, passwords, or credit cards.
• Ruining your credit history: Running up credit card limits and not paying bills, or opening credit lines in your name without consent.
• Interfering with your job: Criticizing your career choices, pressuring you to quit, or sabotaging your work responsibilities.
• Controlling shared assets: Making financial decisions without your input, limiting your access to bank accounts or financial information, or withholding money and giving allowances.
• Forbidding employment: Preventing your partner from working or advancing their career, or harassing them at their workplace.
• Economic exploitation: Intentionally destroying your partner's financial resources or credit history, such as opening credit lines in their name or refusing to pay joint bills.

If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, it is important to seek help. Contacting an advocate, counselor, or religious leader, or reaching out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, can provide support and guidance in addressing financial abuse.

Now, regarding your question about suing your ex-fiancé for wedding costs, the answer depends on a few factors. If there was an agreement between you and your ex-fiancé to split the wedding costs and they are now refusing to comply, you may have grounds to sue for breach of contract. However, if there was no explicit agreement and your ex-fiancé did not agree to share the costs, there might not be a contractual obligation for them to fulfill. Additionally, if someone else, such as your father, paid for the wedding, they might be the one with legal standing to sue for any potential financial recovery.

It is important to note that the laws and regulations regarding this situation may vary depending on your location, so consulting with a local attorney specializing in family law or matrimonial law is highly recommended to understand your specific rights and options.

Frequently asked questions