Lottery winnings may not be a jackpot for former spouses

By Gary Joseph ( August 22, 2019, 12:41 PM EDT) -- Recent media reports have spurred an interest in claims by divorced or separated spouses to lottery wins by their “ex.” Cases in the United States have suggested these claims have somehow succeeded despite lengthy periods of separation or well past the date of divorce. In Michigan, a separated (but not yet divorced) spouse was found to be a “winner” by the courts, sharing half of the husband’s US$30-plus million lottery win. Could these claims succeed in Ontario? Is there any basis for a former spouse to come forward with a claim against lottery winnings?...