how can I keep my wife from getting half of my money in a divorce?

Question

I recently won the lottery and my marrige hasnt been to well(12 years and 2 kids) me and my wife decided a couple of weeks ago to file for divorce, well after taxes I will get around 80 million and I dont want her to get half, california is a 50/50 state so likely she would get half, now I dont care about the house and
I can pay child support. she was against me buying lotto tickets but I bought one and won, I havent cashed it yet, and i dont know how long I'll be able to. I would wait till the divorce is over but that takes a long time. should I send the money to and offshore wire account or something, I honestly would rather die that give up 40 million(but if I do die then she gets it all) how do I stop her from getting half? since technically I bought the ticket during the marriage?

Answer 1

If your parents are still alive, then congratulate THEM on their new winnings. As far as you and they are concerned, it's their ticket and your wife has no rights to the money. Her word against the three of yours. Despite how bad it looks, she will need tangible evidence to prove the contrary.
And it's awfully generous of them when they give you that 80 million dollar check for Christmas, isn't it?

Answer 2

Congratulations on your winnings! That's very exciting.

However, as you are still legally married the money is legally half hers, whether she approved of you buying lotto tickets or not. Any assets that come into a marriage are legally owned by both parties.

If you were to try to hide the money, it is more likely than not that it would be discovered. During divorce there is often a phase called 'Discovery', where each party is obligated to show to the other each of their assets. Because, for instance, even if you have a bank account with only your name on it, it's still half hers. And the same for her as well.

Now, if you were to put the money offshore in a numbered account, and then divorced, and were suddenly mysteriously rich a couple months later (and do you really want to live hiding the money? What fun is that?) your soon to be ex wife could sue you for half. And because you would have been found to have lied on your financial affadavit during the divorce, there might be criminal charges. It's not worth the risk.

I know there is a waiting period in California for divorce, and the lotto ticket may expire in that period. I think you just have to bite the bullet and share the money, and take heart in the fact that your soon to be ex wife, will now have plenty of funds to raise your children with. 40million is still alot of money.

Good luck with the divorce and have fun spending the money.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, since you bought the lottery ticket at a time when you were still married, your wife will be granted half the money even if you wait to claim the winnings after the divorce is finalized.

$40 million isn't enough? ???

Answer 4

Money is already making you an ***. You won that while you were together, that's the most selfish thing I've ever heard! Listen to yourself! You were certainly joined in marriage when she had your children, but it doesnt make the kids any less "yours" if the night they were conceived, you "werent in the mood".. No matter what she said to you.. crap, Ive said stuff like that to my hubby! The fact is you both won, like it or not. You may hate her, and maybe for good reason, maybe not, but you should take solace in knowing that she's taken care of financially if not emotionally. Good grief, you can't make it on $40 million?? Good luck to your ex-wife.

Answer 5

She will get 1/2 like it or not !!!! If you have all this money why are you on yahoo asking us little people, you can get the best of the best of information???? Oh I'll be happy to hold that ticket for you or you split it with me????

Answer 6

she may not know it ryt now but eventually it will leak that u won. and since u bought it before ur divorce and maybe before u were separated, chances are she's going to get half it it coz it's considered an conjugal income. hire a lawyer and check ur options b4 u decide what to do. good luck!

Answer 7

Firstly, anyone who wins 80 Million dollars can afford better advice than found here in Yahoo! Answers.

But we both know that any assets you buy or receive during a marriage are considered joint property.

Thirdly, its a nice dream. Enjoy it.

Answer 8

Ya know, it would only take about 50,000 of that to pay off everything I owe...if you're feeling generous, that is. I have been looking for my long-lost rich uncle for some time now, lol

Answer 9

She should get half - after 12 years and two kids -
don't be so selfish.

Answer 10

Go back in time and don't marry her. If you can't do that, she's entitled to half of the marital assets. You knew that when you said "I do," so deal with it.