Background
The parties had a 30-year relationship. During their time together, the wife developed a habit of purchasing lottery tickets. Just a year before their separation, the wife won a lottery prize. Despite the lottery win, both parties made equal contributions throughout the relationship.
The entire family, including the husband, recognized the winnings and the proceeds as belonging to the wife. Although the wife used the money in a selfless manner, intending to strengthen their ongoing relationship, she took the leading role in determining its usage. She utilized the funds to acquire two properties, a caravan, and a horse float. Additionally, she loaned $50,000 from the winnings to her husband. The properties purchased with the lottery winnings later became a subject of dispute.
Dispute and Result
The wife argued that the lottery winnings should be considered her financial contribution. The court ruled that the properties acquired with the lottery winnings to the wife and discharged the $50,000 loan to the husband.
The above case shouldn't be blindly applied, as the court has arrived at opposite outcomes in similar cases. See Won the lottery? How much can your ex get? #Property dispute #Divorce #Lottery divorce
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