Life Lottery Winner needs to share $15 mill with soon-to-be ex-wife - Page 3

Amnorix · 06-21-2019, 02:14 PM

Ouch!

https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/21/us/lo...rnd/index.html

(CNN)A Michigan lottery winner must share the $38 million windfall with his ex-wife, even though they were in the process of divorcing when he bought the ticket.

Richard Zelasko won an $80 million Mega Millions jackpot in July 2013 -- after taxes and fees his prize was $38,873,628, according to an opinion issued last week by the Michigan Court of Appeals.

The suburban Detroit man and his then-wife, Mary Elizabeth Zelasko, filed for divorce in late 2011. The case had gone to arbitration, and they were waiting for the arbitrator's opinion when Richard Zelasko won the prize.

The couple were married in 2004 and have three children.

The arbitrator ruled that the ticket was part of the couple's marital assets and awarded $15 million to the wife and divided the rest of their assets, according to the opinion. He said that the "marital property includes all property acquired from the date of marriage until the date of entry of the divorce decree," including property acquired during a separation.

The court also cited the arbitrator's opinion that the winning lottery ticket was probably not the first that Richard Zelesko had purchased during the marriage and that "(a)s losses throughout the marriage were incurred jointly, so should winnings be shared jointly."

It's true that Zelasko spent $1 to buy the winning ticket; however, "the dollar spent was arguably marital money and, as such, a joint investment," the arbitrator said.

The appellate court said it found no errors that would require it to change the award.

"It's very difficult to overturn an arbitration," said Michael Robbins, who's represented Richard Zelasko since 2015.

Robbins told CNN that the couple had been separated since 2009.

An attorney for Mary Elizabeth Zelasko told CNN that he would not comment on the case because it is confidential.

The couple's divorce was finalized in 2018.

Robbins said his client can appeal the ruling and is "considering his options."

ChiefsCountry · 06-22-2019, 12:24 PM

Should have collected the winnings under a LLC or incorporation or something like that if he wanted to keep all the money.

**Rain Man** · 06-22-2019, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Should have collected the winnings under a LLC or incorporation or something like that if he wanted to keep all the money.

If he was really gutsy, he could give it to his best friend for a 10 percent cut if the friend would slide him money every year. It would have to be a really good friend, though. Probably not worth the risk since he's already getting $15 million.

Bump · 06-22-2019, 12:51 PM

BuT WyMeN hAvE No rIgHtS, PaTRiArcHy

kcxiv · 06-22-2019, 01:43 PM

she got a nice payday! lol sucks for him

Valiant · 06-22-2019, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

This seems logical, but it makes me wonder about loopholes.

The logic is that all income goes into the marital pool and is divided equally, regardless of which spouse produced that income. So does the same thing apply to expenditures? It seems like one spouse could purchase something that benefits only themselves and can't be sold or split, such as a trip to Tahiti or liposuction or something, and the other spouse essentially pays half of it. If the argument is made that the assets are split regardless of source, then an expenditure on an asset that isn't tangible just reduces the assets to be split.

I believe I saw where a woman had to pay her ex back for her plastic surgery.

Valiant · 06-22-2019, 03:34 PM

If it was sitting in arbitration for that long he may stand a good chance of winning on appeal.
You can't say it is part of marriage assets when it has been years after arbitration.

Though it might be cheaper if they have kids or alimony.

Should have given the ticket to a brother or mom to collect.

eDave · 06-23-2019, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

she got a nice payday! lol sucks for him

This is like complaining you won the $15m jackpot instead of the $30m jackpot.

MarkDavis'Haircut · 06-23-2019, 05:50 AM

Men always get screwed in these cases.

Frazod · 06-23-2019, 09:02 AM

As shitty as it is, this was a no brainer from the start. But rich assholes divorcing each other are among the most unreasonable people on earth.

I'm sure the lawyers appreciated it.

ghak99 · 06-23-2019, 11:59 AM

I have no idea why men still get married.

cooper barrett · 06-23-2019, 01:59 PM

friends or ****ing? friends is bullshit, I ****ed my ex for 2 years /.....

Who the **** gets divorced by arbitration????

Quote:

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

I’m going through a divorce right now. If I won $38M I would be so happy to show up at my ex’s place with a check for $19M. Here you go! Have fun, be happy, and cheers to a resentment-free life.

Of course, I’m still great friends with my ex. But even if you hate each other, you can fix all
That acrimony in one gesture and go live your single, wealthy life in peace.

rabblerouser · 06-23-2019, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghak99

I have no idea why men still get married.

If I was smarter, I would've married her when she wanted me to...

Frazod · 06-23-2019, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

friends or ****ing? friends is bullshit, I ****ed my ex for 2 years /.....

Who the **** gets divorced by arbitration????

Well, up until the lotto lightning strike I'm sure they weren't rich. If a divorcing couple isn't fighting tooth and nail over everything, if they can amicably agree over who gets what, arbitration is a cheaper way to go.

rabblerouser · 06-23-2019, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frazod

Well, up until the lotto lightning strike I'm sure they weren't rich. If a divorcing couple isn't fighting tooth and nail over everything, if they can amicably agree over who gets what, arbitration is a cheaper way to go.

I let my wife take everything in our divorce. She had the kid, she needed it all.

I kept some records and the TV stand.

06-21-2019, 02:14 PM
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Lottery Winner needs to share $15 mill with soon-to-be ex-wife Ouch! https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/21/us/lo...rnd/index.html (CNN)A Michigan lottery winner must share the $38 million windfall with his ex-wife, even though they were in the process of divorcing when he bought the ticket. Richard Zelasko won an $80 million Mega Millions jackpot in July 2013 -- after taxes and fees his prize was $38,873,628, according to an opinion issued last week by the Michigan Court of Appeals. The suburban Detroit man and his then-wife, Mary Elizabeth Zelasko, filed for divorce in late 2011. The case had gone to arbitration, and they were waiting for the arbitrator's opinion when Richard Zelasko won the prize. The couple were married in 2004 and have three children. The arbitrator ruled that the ticket was part of the couple's marital assets and awarded $15 million to the wife and divided the rest of their assets, according to the opinion. He said that the "marital property includes all property acquired from the date of marriage until the date of entry of the divorce decree," including property acquired during a separation. The court also cited the arbitrator's opinion that the winning lottery ticket was probably not the first that Richard Zelesko had purchased during the marriage and that "(a)s losses throughout the marriage were incurred jointly, so should winnings be shared jointly." It's true that Zelasko spent $1 to buy the winning ticket; however, "the dollar spent was arguably marital money and, as such, a joint investment," the arbitrator said. The appellate court said it found no errors that would require it to change the award. "It's very difficult to overturn an arbitration," said Michael Robbins, who's represented Richard Zelasko since 2015. Robbins told CNN that the couple had been separated since 2009. An attorney for Mary Elizabeth Zelasko told CNN that he would not comment on the case because it is confidential. The couple's divorce was finalized in 2018. Robbins said his client can appeal the ruling and is "considering his options."
Posts: 43,125

06-22-2019, 12:24 PM	#31
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1381248	Should have collected the winnings under a LLC or incorporation or something like that if he wanted to keep all the money.
Posts: 51,999

06-22-2019, 12:51 PM	#33
Bump YOU take YOUR seat Join Date: Nov 2007 Casino cash: $-1454895	BuT WyMeN hAvE No rIgHtS, PaTRiArcHy
Posts: 38,067	1 0

06-22-2019, 01:43 PM	#34
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	she got a nice payday! lol sucks for him
Posts: 29,111

06-22-2019, 03:34 PM	#36
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $4572380	If it was sitting in arbitration for that long he may stand a good chance of winning on appeal. You can't say it is part of marriage assets when it has been years after arbitration. Though it might be cheaper if they have kids or alimony. Should have given the ticket to a brother or mom to collect.
Posts: 18,550

06-23-2019, 05:50 AM	#38
MarkDavis'Haircut MVP Join Date: Aug 2017 Casino cash: $2920400	Men always get screwed in these cases.
Posts: 15,754

06-23-2019, 09:02 AM	#39
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-576615	As shitty as it is, this was a no brainer from the start. But rich assholes divorcing each other are among the most unreasonable people on earth. I'm sure the lawyers appreciated it.
Posts: 121,713	1 0

06-23-2019, 11:59 AM	#40
ghak99 MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $-1737750	I have no idea why men still get married.
Posts: 9,016	1 0