Christopher Ned Kelley Ordered To Pay $50,000 After Breaking Engagement to Fiancee


One Georgia man was ordered by the court to pay his ex-fiancee $50,000 after breaking their engagement. Now here is the twist, Christopher Ned Kelley claims that he never actually said the words, “Will you marry me?”

According to ABC News, a court document states that Kelley gave Melissa Cooper a ring valued at around $10,000 on December 23, 2004. After accepting the ring, the two soon moved into a new home together, and even involved children into the mix. Since 2000, ABC News states that Kelly had lived with Cooper who had then later had a child with him, adding to the child Cooper had had in a previous marriage. Sounds like a typical pattern when planning a future together as man and wife, right?

Wrong. According to Fox News, Cooper sued Kelley for fraud and breach of promise after their 10-year relationship ended in 2011. Court documents stated that Cooper ended things after discovering that Kelley had twice cheated on her with another woman. Kelley on the other hand says that he never initiated the concept of marriage with her.

“I never initiated the concept of marriage with her, outside of giving her that ring. I never said the words ‘will you marry me’ to her.”

According to ABC News, Jason Smith, attorney for Cooper, said Georgia lawmakers should re-enact common law marriage in the state to prevent legal wrangling like this. “By law the marriage doesn’t exist, but for practical purposes, it’s a marriage,” Smith said. “They were together for 10 years. They acquired property together.”

The report continues on to say that Smith believes that the court came up with the $50,000 award by figuring what half the value of the home was tat Kelley purchased and which Cooper and her two children lived in with him; the house was valued at $86,000.

When all was said and done, the court awarded Cooper $43,500 and attorney fees of $6,500. ABC News reported that Kelley and his attorney have yet to decide if they will appeal the court’s decision.

[Image via Shutterstock/sergign]

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