What would happen if you win the lottery, but divorced before claiming?

[fanaticalfairy]

Just idle thoughts.
If I win £5million on the 1st, but didn't claim the prize, and divorced on the 2nd, sorted and split assets on the 3rd and then claimed the prize in the 4th. Would that technically need to be split 50/50?

Obviously dates are all just arbitrary, but let's assume realistic representation.

I think you would be liable. You won whilst married.

But how would your ex spouse even know? Presuming you opted for no publicity and didn’t tell anyone

Starting point is assets need to be declared so they can be split fairly. Hiding assets/denial assets are viewed as very bad.

Divorce is not exactly quick. I think if you win the lottery while still married it matters for the divorce. If you win the lottery while you already have the divorce papers in hand, then I doubt it matters.

maybe the 180 day claim limit would exclude the possibility entirely? I'm guessing it would probably take more than 6 months generally? I think it has to be at least 20 weeks?

I wouldn’t tell anyone I’ve won…but there would be signs.

The solid gold peacock tail I’d start wearing would be one.

🤣

I suspect you would be hiding the assets as mentioned. Winning the day after the divorce is granted/signed off would be ok but winning before that (or inheriting) would probably require you to declare the win. How annoying would that be?

I’d get my parents to claim it for me 😂

In your scenario, I think you'd be obliged to share the win. I wonder if it would make a difference if you had already separated from your partner on Day 0 though, i.e. before the win 🤔 (i.e. separate, win, divorce).

I'd get one of my over 18 kids to claim it for me or my mum. Trust them all with my life!

No fucking way would ex be getting any of it!