Woman wants part of estranged husband's lotto jackpot

Feb 28, 2012, 10:26 am (85 comments)

Indiana Lottery

Includes video report

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The winner of a $34.5 million Hoosier Lotto jackpot wants to remain anonymous, but a woman who claims to be his estranged wife is demanding a piece of the prize.

The lottery winner, whose name was not released, came forward Friday morning and took a lump sum of $15.9 million, lottery officials said.

The winning ticket was sold in Shelbyville at the Smokers Host store at 903 S. Harrison St.

Ericka Prather, of Shelbyville, said she and lotto winner James Prather got married Feb. 14, 2008, and have two children together, who live with her.

She said they've had an on again, off again relationship, but had been together recently and never formally divorced.

But Ericka Prather claims her estranged husband called her earlier this week with a request.

"He goes, 'I got a question. Can we make our divorce final?' And I was like, it was just out of nowhere," she said. "I was like, 'Is it because you hit the lottery?' He's like, 'Huh?' and tried to say that he didn't, and then he's like, 'Yeah, I did.'"

Ericka Prather hired a Carmel attorney to help her collect what she believes is her rightful share of her estranged husband's new-found wealth.

"As long as two parties are married, they have claims on what's in the marital estate," said attorney Andrew Thompson. "In general, each party is entitled to an equal division of marital property at the time of separation under Indiana law."

Ericka Prather said her estranged husband, who owns a contracting business in Shelbyville, has stopped talking to her and has cut her off financially.

"I feel like I was put out there with nothing," she said. "I've worked for him since I've been with him."

Unless the couple can work out a settlement, it will be up to a court decide how expensive the divorce will be for the newly minted millionaire.

Thanks to TheRightPrice and B$Rizzle for the tip.

RTV6

Comments

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Really James ?   REALLY ?.....There you have it folks !!! I can understand the remaining anonymous aspect if its allowed under Indiana law , but not having the common sense to tell your (still married) spouse. Anyone with the IQ of a handball would know they have to share equally with their on again off again legally married partner. One word describes his actions, "GORMLESS"

JavaJay 123

Estranged or not, this guy is a loser. $15 million less taxes isn't enough for you that you can't give her and your kids a piece.

Come on man! Whatta tool. Hope karma kicks ya right in the -.

Littleoldlady's avatarLittleoldlady

She is jumping with joy..I get half! I get half!, I get half!Banana

Child support, too!  I hit the the lottery!!!  Ha-ha-ha-ha!!!Party

 

and she should.....

WesternRedDoug

Whoa. How many days was he sitting on this winner before the lawyer came forward? Two? Three? Sit on it for awhile. Claiming in while it is still news in a small-ish town...

Nonetheless, in the eyes of the law and lottery, you are either married or not. Take care of your family.

Littleoldlady's avatarLittleoldlady

If I was her, I would really worry about my back.  Some folks are so greedy for money that they will do anything to keep it.

WesternRedDoug

Quote: Originally posted by Littleoldlady on Feb 28, 2012

If I was her, I would really worry about my back.  Some folks are so greedy for money that they will do anything to keep it.

I was starting to wonder: I understand her getting a lawyer involved, but why did she bother kicking the hornets nest by going on TV?

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

No He Didn't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BashChairBoxing

NightStalker's avatarNightStalker

James really wasn't thinking ahead.  He should have had his parents claim the ticket for him and then told his wife he wanted to finalize his divorce then quit working.  That way it would appear that his parents were paying for his lifestyle. 

I fully believe that James would have not only continued to pay his child support, he would have paid all their bills and he probably would have given her some money, but not half.  Now he's screwed.

I am not trying to say what he was attempting to do was right, but having been divorced, I would have done it to keep my ex from getting half of MY winnings.  I would gladly pay all my kids bills, college, cars.  But I'd rather not give her the time of day. 

Just sayin.

JavaJay 123

And on the flip side: he's so greedy and distrustful, that the dumb s**t doesn't give the ticket to his mother, cousin, or best friend to cash?!   Now... pay the Lady! hahahahaha

(But... why you on TV??)

corius$1918!

I'm glad his wife found out the truth, even from him.  She is entitled to some of the money for herself, (they're still married) and for the children.  I'm so glad he didn't have someone claim it for him.  If that happened I hope the person renigs on the promise and they have a long battle in court.  It's amazing, I'm good enough for you when everything is average yet when you excell, (still married) i should be cut out.  Having worked for him since business started I'm sure she contributed to it's success or whatever state the business is in.

 

Good for her!!!!!!!!

winwi5

This guy is stupid all he had to do was talk to her about a divorce and proceed with it before claiming the ticket

Anytime you win the lottery if you are seperated, have a messy situation, or live in a common law state more than likely the

Sposes attorney will put up a big argument over why he feels you are rightfully entitled to any of the money.

New York's avatarNew York

This story gets me sick. Strange lady and guy who doesn't like his wife wins the lottery. Now the girl wants to be a creep and try to get some money. I'm never getting married.

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Yet another example, for we lottery players, that a gambler doesn't have to be a 'respector of others' in order to receive a great fortune.  Come one, come all gamblers!

Jester

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Green laughwhat a bloomin onion moron Green laugh

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by New York on Feb 28, 2012

This story gets me sick. Strange lady and guy who doesn't like his wife wins the lottery. Now the girl wants to be a creep and try to get some money. I'm never getting married.

Don't EVER get married New York. You can take that to the bank. (as long as your not married  LOL)

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by JavaJay 123 on Feb 28, 2012

And on the flip side: he's so greedy and distrustful, that the dumb s**t doesn't give the ticket to his mother, cousin, or best friend to cash?!   Now... pay the Lady! hahahahaha

(But... why you on TV??)

What make you think his family and friends would have been less greedy and distrustful than him?  Years ago a guy from Pennsylvania won an Ohio Super Lotto jackpot of $60M and had his girlfriend cash-in his ticket to avoid sharing it with estranged wife.  She left him with her half and he still had to share the half he had with his estranged wife which after lawyer fees and such ended up being less than 20% of the original prize amount.

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Feb 28, 2012

What make you think his family and friends would have been less greedy and distrustful than him?  Years ago a guy from Pennsylvania won an Ohio Super Lotto jackpot of $60M and had his girlfriend cash-in his ticket to avoid sharing it with estranged wife.  She left him with her half and he still had to share the half he had with his estranged wife which after lawyer fees and such ended up being less than 20% of the original prize amount.

Absolutely correct. That "Greed" thread runs through us all.

Better off leaving it to your dog, one of the few remaining friends you can depend on.  Thumbs Up

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Quote: Originally posted by New York on Feb 28, 2012

This story gets me sick. Strange lady and guy who doesn't like his wife wins the lottery. Now the girl wants to be a creep and try to get some money. I'm never getting married.

Well, apparently they've each liked each other occasionally. Wink

VenomV12

They are still legally married, so he has to pay. Tough luck buddy. 

And there are two kids, so pony up the child support too. Should have gotten a divorce. Expensive lesson learned.

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Quote: Originally posted by mcginnin56 on Feb 28, 2012

Absolutely correct. That "Greed" thread runs through us all.

Better off leaving it to your dog, one of the few remaining friends you can depend on.  Thumbs Up

In the past, some pets have bitten their dependable care givers.

VenomV12

Quote: Originally posted by NightStalker on Feb 28, 2012

James really wasn't thinking ahead.  He should have had his parents claim the ticket for him and then told his wife he wanted to finalize his divorce then quit working.  That way it would appear that his parents were paying for his lifestyle. 

I fully believe that James would have not only continued to pay his child support, he would have paid all their bills and he probably would have given her some money, but not half.  Now he's screwed.

I am not trying to say what he was attempting to do was right, but having been divorced, I would have done it to keep my ex from getting half of MY winnings.  I would gladly pay all my kids bills, college, cars.  But I'd rather not give her the time of day. 

Just sayin.

In addition to being very dangerous, because after all you never know what people will do, it is very illegal. Concealment. 

I don't know how easy it would have been, but if he got caught, he could lose everything. In the end this was the best thing to do. He should either never have gotten married or he should have divorced her right away. On the plus side, if the tables were turned and she won, he would be in the same position as her looking at collecting millions of dollars.

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by HaveABall on Feb 28, 2012

In the past, some pets have bitten their dependable care givers.

And vice-versa!  Evil     Mad

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Any way you look at it, his winnings equals at least 5 times what he would earn with a decent job in a life time.  Most men have to support their family earning a lot less, why should anyone fell sorry for him having to do the same with more.

WesternRedDoug

That is a pretty universal headline:

"_____ wants part of _____'s lotto jackpot"

Brother
Son
Coworker
Ex-husband
Teacher
Grandfather
Brother
Fortune teller
Boss
Sister
Dog walker
Mailman...

Seattlejohn

What a complete & total tool.  What's the matter, James; can't give your legally married wife half & find a way to live on almost $8 Million?  What about your kids?  You just showed the world how utterly clueless & classless you are; you're now a pariah in the small town you live in.  What a dumbass...

s5thomps's avatars5thomps

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Feb 28, 2012

Any way you look at it, his winnings equals at least 5 times what he would earn with a decent job in a life time.  Most men have to support their family earning a lot less, why should anyone fell sorry for him having to do the same with more.

Regardless of the state of their marriage he should do right by his wife and children. Instead of offering her at least  a portion of the money he chose to be be deceiptive about it. In the end it's going to bite him in the @ss and she will end up with half the money and he will be stuck paying for a high cost lawyer. If the knuckle head haves any sense he should settle out of court and give her about 5 million....that still leaves him with over 10 million after taxes. I'm sure he can get by on that. He managed to get by on far less that over the course of his life. It's like the marine who hit the jackpot and credited it to karma, there is both good and bad karma and if he chooses not to do right by his wife he will regret it in the end. What goes around comes around!

                                                                            I Agree!

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

People still get married? People still separate for long periods of time without bothering with divorce? people still havent the lesson of other greedy spouses who have been caught trying to conceal lottery winning from their spouses? This guy should have just came clean, tell the wife she gets 50% as child support and alimony and not a penny more and make her sign an agreement. If she was smart, she would have happily accepted and the story wouldnt have got all this publicity. Now the lawyers will cash in, both her and husband have been outed and so the begging hands will be shoved at them everywhere they go.

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Feb 28, 2012

People still get married? People still separate for long periods of time without bothering with divorce? people still havent the lesson of other greedy spouses who have been caught trying to conceal lottery winning from their spouses? This guy should have just came clean, tell the wife she gets 50% as child support and alimony and not a penny more and make her sign an agreement. If she was smart, she would have happily accepted and the story wouldnt have got all this publicity. Now the lawyers will cash in, both her and husband have been outed and so the begging hands will be shoved at them everywhere they go.

Yeahhhh for the lawyers!     Bat

lucky6025

Does not make any difference if he got his divorce or not law states when the game was drawn, not when ticket gets cashed in. So Now Judge will probably look at him as idiot and give her half then take child support out of husbands half.So instead of giving her half for her and kids now he will most likely get less than half.Every week or month be reminded what an idiot he is when making child support payments till kids are out of college LOL OH YEAH lets not forget paying lawyer for this dumb move..betting lawyer is happy camper, didn't even have to buy ticket yet is a winner.

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