Woman loses wedding ring, protests when person who finds it demands she pay $107 for finding it and taking it to court: 'I feel like it's about greed'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Sep 11, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

Should a finder's fee be a legal right?

There are not many inconveniences that are more upsetting than losing something that has a lot of sentimental value. Some possessions feel like they should be with you for life, and opening up to the possibility that this might not be the case can be an unpleasant shock. They are the kind of things that some will happily do anything to get them back.

The unfortunate reality that many people in these situations have to face is not just that they may never see this precious belonging again, but that the price they have to pay to have it returned to them is far greater than seems fair. Not everybody is going to be fortunate enough to find the thing themselves when they retrace their steps. All kinds of suspicious happenings can take place with a lost possession, not least if it happens to be somewhat valuable. You never know who might be the first person to come across it, and what they will think is the best way to proceed with it. Of course, there is every chance that they will decide that they want it for themselves.

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  • Close-up of a person holding a gold and diamond ring between their fingers and thumb.
    via Jonny Gios

    Close-up of a person holding a gold and diamond ring between their fingers and thumb. Picture does not depict real parties.
     

  • A woman faced an annoying situation when she realized that she had lost her wedding ring in a store. Somebody had found it and turned it in, but they had decided to go the legal route so that they could make a claim on her ring if she didn't turn up to take it.

    When she identified herself as the owner of the ring, the courthouse asked if she would be able to cover the filing fee of the person who had given it to them. She didn't believe that this was a reasonable request.

  • Am I overreacting for refusing to pay court filing fees that someone filed to claim my wedding rings?

    So I lost my wedding ring, it got turned into the PD and I went and picked it up... someone was going to court over being able to claim my ring if I didn't go to claim it... cool, I dunno what you would do with someone else's meaningful wedding bands but to each their own.
    via BelltotheShell
  • Well I got a call from the courthouse asking if I would reimburse the person for their filing fee? $107.... Mind you, the manager of the store (where I knew I lost it) told them that they had my contact information and this person refused to leave it with them... They opted to turn it into the PD.
    via BelltotheShell
  • Realizing that the only reason they did it that way was so they could legally own my ring after going through the court process... So I guess the question is, would you pay the person back for filing with the court to own YOUR ring? Am I overreacting for refusing to pay them for trying to claim my ring?
    via BelltotheShell

  • The ring finder was making things as difficult as possible.

    Now I've been added to the case so he can ask the court for reimbursement either by the courthouse or by me... scheduled for next month. I was told it had to be 180 days unclaimed with a newspaper article posted for "found ring". It wasn't even close to 180 days and no article was ever posted let alone even a FB post...
    via BelltotheShell
  • FYI my ring did get ran over and smashed a little bit with a tiny diamond missing BUT I GOT IT BACK and now I'm getting it fixed. I had considered sending a Thank you card with a gift card of appreciation but now I feel like it's more about greed and less about kindness from this person.
    via BelltotheShell
  • A courthouse building as pictured from the front, behind an open gate.
    via Melody Ayres-Griffiths

    A courthouse building as pictured from the front, behind an open gate. Photo is a representation of scenes.
     

  • It was a strange effort to make.

    Erin Derrick_Art NOR. You hit the nail on the head. Super weird for them to be trying to get a ring that doesn't belong to them. You'd think they'd just be happy that the person who lost it found it since they cared enough to take it to the police station in the first place.
    via Erin_Derrick_Art
  • AtmosphereOwn2389 NOR - If they had good intentions, then they would have left all the information when turning in the ring. They showed true intentions and shouldn't be rewarded for that. I totally would have felt the same way...wanting to give them something as a token of appreciation, but after knowing the full story, I wouldn't.
    via AtmosphereOwn2389
  • chainlinkchipmunk What? No. That is absurd. Not OR, this is ridiculous. Now you have to go to court? If you're feeling really petty sue them in small claims for the time and money that will cost you. (I don't know if you can actually do that.)
    via chainlinkchipmunk

  • They were clearly opportunistic.

    z-eldapin Nope. And bring the store personnel in as a witness to the fact that the finder COULD have returned it to you, but chose to money grab. NOR
    via z-eldapin
  • k23_k23 "Well I got a call from the courthouse asking if I would reimburse the person for their filing fee?" .. why would you? NOR
    via k23_k23
  • Actual-Deer1928 NOR. They tried to steal your ring and now they're trying to steal your $107.
    via Actual-Deer1928

  • It was their fee to pay.

    5WEET_Cheeks_Karen They're the one that filed the court claim so they're the one that should eat the cost. Let the greedy suffer at their own expense.
    via 5WEET_Cheeks_Karen
  • Chunk3yMonkey They went out of their way to try and avoid you getting your rings back whilst leaving the door open for them to be able claim them. Why would you give them anything?
    via Chunk3yM0nkey
  • Due-Yoghurt4916 They only reported it because the store clerk knew you so too many witnesses they had it. Otherwise they always intended to keep it. I'd be searching public records and their social media to see how often they luck into court filings that get settled. With reward money
    via Due-Yoghurt4916

  • They had a game plan, and it wasn't working.

    tafackery NOR. And this answers your question of what they'd want with someone else's meaningful ring - to turn it into a profit. The fact they're still trying to get money in this situation is just bonkers. Their stupid move should cost them, not you.
    via tafackery

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wedding ring court lost property payment
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