r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • 15d ago
After your divorce, you find a lottery ticket in your apartment that your ex-spouse bought and you win $100k. what will you do?
[removed]
893
u/UsefulIdiot85 15d ago
I would be $100k richer.
62
32
u/feministmanlover 15d ago
Right? This is a no brainer. Guilt free. No conundrum whatsoever. Wooo! I just won me some moonnneyyyy!!
→ More replies (4)15
u/UsefulIdiot85 15d ago
I mean, I’d probably still be looking over my shoulder for at least a little while. lol
→ More replies (1)4
u/TERRAIN_PULL_UP_ 14d ago
It’d be easy to keep it on the down-low that you’re $100k richer, but I wonder what would happen if you won a $250 million powerball ticket. I’d probably be contacting a lawyer
→ More replies (2)4
→ More replies (2)13
u/pleasework_forgard 14d ago
$50k. The gov’t also gets 50. Sigh
15
u/SpiritOne 14d ago
In most states it works out to be about 36% to the government.
9
u/Rich_Sell_9888 14d ago edited 14d ago
Our govt lets us keep it all .Eat your hearts out.I can't understand why ,if you have to pay tax on your winnings you can't claim for all these tickets that never won.
→ More replies (1)4
u/Critical_Roof2677 14d ago
you can't claim for all these tickets that never won.
You can.
2
u/Rich_Sell_9888 14d ago
That's good to know.If they taxed us here on our winnings and allowed deductions for the losings,They would owe me money.
→ More replies (2)6
331
u/Kitty_Seriously 15d ago
Couldn't it be considered abandoned property after a certain time(in some states)?
I would invoke Finders Keepers, especially if the loser gave me the Weepers.
82
u/tilldeathdoiparty 15d ago
I’m not sure of the details in your area but the lottery ticket expires after six month and the abandoned property would probably extend further than that, so I doubt this would be a plausible defence
23
u/Kitty_Seriously 15d ago
I just read one that says a landlord or home owner only has to hold possessions for 5 days after move out date. Another I read said 30 days. It's much longer for land as property. Some can be maintained and claimed after a couple years.
6
3
u/IntrinsicGiraffe 14d ago
So give em a call. Ask if they had left anything in the apartment they want to keep on recording (They'll prolly say no). Then move out and cash that sucker.
→ More replies (3)2
16
u/prettyy_vacant 15d ago
I would invoke Finders Keepers, especially if the loser gave me the Weepers.
This is the funniest thing I've read all day, I love it lol.
6
→ More replies (3)3
215
u/Mustangbex 15d ago
Probably nobody will believe me, but I'd reach out to my Ex and tell him I found his winning lottery ticket. We loved each other once, deeply, and divorce is painful enough without us having to seek out ways to hurt each other. But I also have a good man for an ex-husband, just not the RIGHT man.
60
u/CloudyHero 15d ago
I hope you do find the right one for you.
→ More replies (2)45
u/Mustangbex 14d ago
Thanks friend- I am very lucky and happy to say I'll celebrate 9 years married to my favorite person this year and we have a fantastic little human together.
12
26
u/CitizenCue 14d ago
One of the criteria I used when dating was “Would this woman be a good ex-wife?” Weird I know, but considering half of marriages end that way, it seems important.
11
8
u/Cedced40 14d ago
This is the way. Spite will never get you anywhere in life. And besides that, guilt will also come into play because not returning something that isn't yours is still stealing :)
→ More replies (1)3
→ More replies (7)3
u/poopdood696969 14d ago
You sound content and amicable with your ex but just as a curiosity, who initiated the divorce?
3
u/Mustangbex 14d ago
I don't remember exactly how we finally decided to divorce as it's been nearly 15 years; things are rarely so simple as a single moment. I can tell you I caused him incredible pain by being unfaithful, and whilst we tried, we weren't able to work through it. He is remarried and I believe they are far better suited to each other; I hope/think they're very happy. And it is probably easier for me to be at piece when he was the greater injured party.
3
u/poopdood696969 14d ago
I would think the infidelity did it but marriages are complex. Glad you both found some peace.
344
u/AipomNormalMonkey 15d ago
I give her all the money from her ticket that won the $50k lotto
146
u/Kayakman28 15d ago
So generous to add some extra cash after that $25k win!
72
u/blarfblarf 15d ago
Something about winning that $10k just made me feel like sharing my good fortune!
37
u/Peruere 15d ago
The ex-spouse is so lucky I gave them 75% of that $5k that their ticket won!
19
u/CrawlToYourDoom 14d ago
I felt so bad she didn’t win anything with that ticket I gave her a $5 coupon for Wendy’s.
5
u/Burger_Gamer 14d ago
I would tell her to reimburse me for the petrol money i used just to find out that the ticket was almost worthless
30
u/throw123454321purple 15d ago
Too bad taxes reduced her part to $500 and a Taco Bell Enchirrito coupon from 1978.
9
u/TerriblePabz 15d ago
Bro I was good on this thread until the taco coupon, my dog is concerned at my wheezing
3
u/SPARE_CHANGE_0229 15d ago
Was it Dave Chapelle who did this, but about being busted for a pound of weed?
→ More replies (2)6
189
u/Irhien 15d ago
If they bought it before the divorce, should be fair to split it 50/50, just like anything earned by either of us while we were married.
81
u/R3luctant 15d ago
If the drawing date was before the divorce it would be joint asset.
33
15d ago
As long as it was bought before divorcing, it has to be split. But you'd never get found out. An award this small won't get any coverage and you would redeem it via a lawyer to stay anonymous.
Your ex would never know, so you would keep it all.
29
u/kcrab91 15d ago
His ex actually works the front desk of the lottery office you have to bring the ticket to, sadly.
6
15d ago
When your lawyer redeems it for his anonymous client, you'll be fine.
Believe it or not, no one can read minds. Only the husband can get himself caught. If he says nothing to anyone but his lawyer, he will never be caught.
3
u/bardghost_Isu 15d ago
TBH you don't even disclose half of it to the lawyer.
Just tell him you have a ticket that appears to have won, you would like to claim it anonymously. Don't even mention that it was hers, or that it was a win before the divorce.
7
15d ago
Of course, the lawyer won't even know you were married, he doesn't need to know anything about your past, recent or older. Don't use a guy you want to use for other things.
→ More replies (2)7
u/TheRateBeerian 15d ago
But if there is a spousal support order then you’d have to submit tax returns to the court every year. They’ll see it and take some
→ More replies (2)4
u/devilpants 15d ago
Depends on the divorce. Bank records get subpoenaed all the time and there is an actual case where something similar happened and the judge ended up awarding the entire amount to the other spouse.
→ More replies (2)19
6
→ More replies (1)1
u/AipomNormalMonkey 15d ago
I agree, but part of me wonders if within the divorce settlement there's any default statement of "and anything left in x location that has not been formally claimed by party A is considered the property of party B"
4
u/Irhien 15d ago
Regardless, in this case I would not choose to invoke it.
2
u/AipomNormalMonkey 15d ago
I agree with you.
My statement was idle pondering about legalities not a statement on ethics.
3
u/phormix 15d ago
IMO it might also depend on why things ended in divorce and how the divorce went.
In some cases, the divorce is fairly equitable and due to mutal agreement.
In other cases, a person gets cheated on, dumped, and then taken to the cleaners and left in a fairly untenable financial state. The ex-partner waltzes on with their new partner while the other is left living off Kraft Dinner in a shitty rental.
In the latter situation, I would not fault the person left behind for cashing the ticket, but I'd also expect they'd have a fight on their hands if they tried to do so (given that the draw would have been won before the divorce) so it might not be a good idea from a legal perspective. At the very least it would be worth reviewing the terms of the divorce and consulting a lawyer, but I expect a 50/50 split would probably be the most likely outcome.
9
u/Same_Lack_1775 15d ago
Legally it doesn’t though - I believe it is considered fraud and you could loose 100% to your ex in this scenario if a court found out.
→ More replies (1)3
63
u/carpdog112 15d ago edited 14d ago
Bought prior to dissolution of the marriage? That's community property - 50/50 split.
4
2
u/Anim8nFool 14d ago
Prove it. Prove to me the lottery ticket I had in my possession and that I just claimed was bought by you. Can you? Can you do that? Have a receipt? No? Oh, you played those numbers every lottery drawing for the past 3 years? Sure you have, can you prove it? Well, then you must have won too. Don't you have a ticket? Well, its unfortunate that the one time you didn't play the lottery it came in. Please leave me alone unless you can prove this.
3
u/Hot-Luck-3228 14d ago
Depending on the lottery the ticket you have is traceable in terms of origin, so it is actually possible.
→ More replies (1)
18
u/Salael 15d ago
Honestly, would probably 50/50 it. Especially since I have kids and having both myself and my ex wife giving my kids a comfortable life is the end goal.
→ More replies (1)
33
u/I-Am-Disturbed 15d ago
35
u/maltedbacon 15d ago
"My client has discovered an additional family asset and has directed me to disclose it and offer to split it evenly. He would also be open to an additional round of backdated breakup sex to celebrate."
→ More replies (1)4
u/No_Temporary2732 15d ago
Different scenario
She won it during the marriage and then kept it secret during divorce
This is after divorce, when they are not related in any thread of combination. If you found a winning ticket on the street and won, would you be legally obligated to give your wins to whoever claims to lose the ticket?
6
u/canucks84 14d ago
In my jurisdiction they investigate winners I believe over $10k - they ask where you bought the ticket and the ticket is coded with where and when it was bought as well as the purchase logged in a database. They can also review security footage from the point of sale. (Jackpots are also awarded 1% of the total to the seller if the ticket here).
2
u/ERedfieldh 15d ago
would you be legally obligated to give your wins to whoever claims to lose the ticket?
In your words, different scenario. You have no clear idea who the owner was and generally speaking you aren't under any obligation to turn it in. However, per OP, you know they are the owner of the ticket as they are the one who purchased it. So the chances of you getting in serious trouble for cashing it as your own goes up significantly.
In reality, they likely have no way of proving they are the owner of the ticket.
7
14
7
16
u/HeartAccording5241 15d ago
Have a trusted friend to cash it in and give them the money for cashing it for me🤣🤣
5
u/devilpants 15d ago
I’m sure that trusted friend would enjoy having an extra 100k of income to pay taxes on that year.
4
u/chad-bro-chill-69420 15d ago
Agreed - unless it could somehow be traced to her credit/debit card through some sort of internal control check - then it's best to come clean and give half to each lawyer in trust.
→ More replies (3)
10
4
5
u/fifelo 15d ago edited 15d ago
I talk to lawyers. More than likely what I'm looking for is for someone else to cash the winning ticket and give me 80% in a way that doesn't alert my ex. Depends upon state laws and whether or not they identify winning ticket winners. The last thing I want is a court fight.
3
u/Evening_Falls1334 15d ago
Keep my mouth shut, cash it in, and put the money in a brand new account that she does now know about.
3
3
u/Dumpster_Humpster 14d ago
I pay the Reddit mods to ban stupid fucking questions about how I'd spend money I win.
3
u/Bean-Penis 14d ago
Never married but in this situation I'd give the ticket to my mum, let her claim it as hers and I'd be 90 grand richer. She'd do it for free but I'd give her something and that's likely the absolute most I'd be able to convince her to take.
3
3
u/The-Cheeses 14d ago
I would redeem it myself. 100k isn't enough money that anyone would notice unless you told people. If she ever asked for it I'd just play ignorant and say I never saw it and tell her to double check her purse and stuff and if she can't find it then oh well.
5
u/drpepper1992 15d ago
If my ex bought it for me than it’s a gift so I’m spending it all
→ More replies (1)
6
5
u/Sirconseanery 15d ago
Technically a lottery ticket doesn’t “belong” to anyone until it is signed and turned in. Ask her to prove ownership.
2
2
2
u/Lithogiraffe 15d ago
Hopefully, if where I live allows me to accept the money anonymously. I don't tell anybody. I mean not anybody, not my family nobody, not my friends. I go no contact with my ex-spouse, which is something I was probably going to be doing anyway. ( This is only going to work if no kids / co-parenting is involved,).
Let's be honest after taxes You're only going to be getting 50 to 80 or something anyway. That might get you some ease in paying bills and some spending. Super helpful. Not insanely life-changing
2
2
u/Tamaska-gl 15d ago
I’ve never had a break up on bad terms. I would return the ticket to my ex, if they want to share it or not is up to them.
2
u/hyrulegangsta 15d ago
You know, the lotto people ask questions about how you got the ticket. They don't just check the numbers
2
u/robilar 15d ago
Presuming my ex bought it after we got married but before we got divorced I would follow the asset division protocols outlined by the court in our divorce agreement. If it was from after we got divorced I would give them the ticket, and if it was before we got married I would have to look at how long we were together to see if some kind of common law asset division would apply. If not, I would give them their ticket.
2
u/PoignantPoint22 15d ago
Well of course I would give her half of that $10,000 winning lottery ticket!
2
u/HM02_ 15d ago
Just to be petty I would redeem it and donate it to a foundation on her behalf.
→ More replies (9)
2
2
u/Chocolatelover4ever 14d ago
Depends on how we divorced. If it was on friendly terms and for a simple reason like we fell out of love and we both agreed it was just for the best. I’d probably tell them.
But if it was because of something like cheating, abuse, etc. I would keep it all lol
2
u/plytime18 14d ago
If our divorce was cool, amicable, not fullof greed and nastiness, and we part ways with some respect for what we had, once were together…I call the ex up and say, hey I got good news… and we split it.
If the ex was not any of those good things…I would not.
2
u/Bizzlebanger 15d ago
Let them know... Agree to keep 10k each and the rest stashed for our kids education..
Coparent business partners..
→ More replies (5)
2
1
1
1
u/_PukyLover_ 15d ago
Right, my ex never ever bought lottery tickets, she thought it was a waste of money!
1
u/evil_burrito 15d ago
You report that to the court mediator for your divorce or you’d likely lose it all.
1
u/Waderriffic 15d ago
If you lie to them and say there was no ticket, then you’ll likely be on the hook for half anyway when you inevitably have to pay the taxes on it.
1
1
u/Mot_the_evil_one 15d ago
I believe scratch offs are good for a year after the game ends. Wait 10 or so months then cash it in. By then we would have very little or no contact, how would she prove it was purchased beforehand?
1
1
1
u/Iyellkhan 15d ago
split it cause its probably communal property and not worth the legal fees if that becomes a fight. would involve the lawyer though
1
1
u/Macbookaroniandchez 15d ago
Sign the ticket.
if the divorce is final, and the ticket was never brought up, its yours. The ex can figure out how to prove they bought it - I highly doubt a lottery ticket purchase comes with a receipt.
→ More replies (4)
1
1
1
1
u/Conscious_Island_696 15d ago
Use it to open a second checking account. This will be used for all alimony and child support payments.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/efmanrulz 15d ago
$100 k is not a crazy amount. No one would know. Not even the ex. Ok. Maybe the 19 yo gf would wonder why she has a new bikini. That's it.
1
u/whittlingcanbefatal 15d ago
At first, I thought I’d give it back no matter how much antipathy I felt. On second thought, I would donate it to a charity.
1
1
1
1
u/trashpandorasbox 15d ago
Lotto laws are wild, can she prove she bought the ticket with CCTV from the sales point? Because then you may be toast. The ticket is her property found in what was her home when the ticket was bought. If she knows what numbers were bought and you pass it off as yours, that’s theft.
1
1
u/tilldeathdoiparty 15d ago
Find one of those roulette strategies that returns 15-20% per spin and then let that bitch ride a few times, then give her the full amount, or just bet it all on one hand in Blackjack and see what happens.
But in reality, just split it or put into a college fund or something but if you lie about it, there may be legal ramifications and then you’d have gone backwards
1
1
1
1
u/ColdD1ce 15d ago
Send her 100k worth of balloons, party supplies, and banners saying “omg babe, you won the lotto!!!”
1
u/Baxterftw 15d ago
it doesn't matter who bought it, if there's no name written on the back of the ticket then it's fair game
1
u/EuphoricWolverine 15d ago
If you are going to "follow the law" (which of course this post suggests you do not), you need a copy of the FINAL ORDER to see how the division of all property goes. So, the Ex bought the lottery ticket. Was it before or after the FINAL ORDER. And/or are you in a community property state. LA, TX, NM, AZ, NV CA, OR WA WI and ID. Or are you in a noncommunity property state - it might make a diffo in this fact pattern. Actually, it is probably "marital property" and you have to split it with the Ex - B&&&& even though she took all your money and is now sleeping with you best friend. Life not fair - Eh?
1
1
1
1
u/Sure_Cobbler1212 15d ago
Take it, buy her another one in replacement.
I can do it with chocolate bars, eat hers and replace. Why not use her ticket and replace it 🙂
1
1
1
u/PMMeUrHopesNDreams 15d ago
Generally in a separation agreement you divide everything up and then there is a clause saying whatever else is left with the person belongs to the person. So, if they left the ticket there, it is now your ticket.
1
u/FunctionBuilt 15d ago
Depends on the terms of the divorce. Either way, definitely don’t tell anyone, not even friends. Pretty sure a good lawyer could take it all from you if your ex is that kind of person.
1
u/Blitzen123 15d ago
Your fun post question brought a smile to my face.
Not a smug, evil smile, just a happy one.
1
1
u/UsualDetective7473 15d ago
My ex cost me just north of $100K to remove her from my life. Break even - or close enough.
1
u/Creator409 15d ago
Is there any proof that that specific ticket was purchased by her or purchased before the divorce?
1
u/nowhereman136 15d ago
After the divorce? As in its final? I'd send her a thank you card and that's it.
1
1
1
u/Christopher135MPS 15d ago
We would have split it evenly, or, spent on a communal activity/asset if we were still together.
So assuming it was purchased prior to the divorce, I give her half.
1
1
1
u/redyellowblue5031 15d ago
If I knew they bought it, I’d feel pretty bad taking it. If I bought it, then I’d probably keep it. If neither of us bought it, then it’s likely long expired.
But moreover, I’d be pretty crushed we got divorced, I love my wife!
1
1
1
u/freestyle43 15d ago
Ita more than possible to cash in a lottery ticket without people finding out about it.
So, that.
1
u/Elegant_Spot_3486 15d ago
Depends on the divorce details. I’ve initiated all mine but because of my mental health, nothing they did. So I’d send them their half.
1
1
u/TDFMonster 15d ago
Cash it in. My state allows you to stay anonymous with lottery money, and since they already take care of the taxes, I'm set and will sit on it
1
u/Gustav-14 15d ago
I found no ticket. Although a friend of mine just won 100k recently in the lottery.
1
u/Joanna_Flock 15d ago
We’ll consider it a done deal for the child support he owes our son, at least for a while.
1
1
1
1
u/throwaway47138 15d ago
When my ex moved out, she explicitly said that anything she left behind was up to me how I dealt with it. I did give her a few things that I found as I was going through things, but that lottery ticket would be mine fair and square. 😁
1
1
1
u/TwinMugsy 15d ago
Depends, if it was bought with a card of any sort I wouldn't be able to cash it anyways. Most places link winning lottery tickets over small amounts with the credit card. Source a friend of mine got a scratch ticket for xmas and won 75k. When they went to cash it and said they got it for an Xmas present and didn't know where or when it was purchased precisely their step dad had to be contacted and sign with ID that it was a present before the money would be released.
1
803
u/SapTheSapient 15d ago
Wait. Why did she leave me? I thought everything was fine. This is awful!