NJ man, ex-girlfriend in court over Powerball win

[mfcorey1]

http://news.msn.com/us/nj-man-ex-girlfriend-in-court-over-powerball-win

A man and his former girlfriend are battling in court over a $338 million Powerball jackpot. His lawyer argues the money is his, as they were never married.

PATERSON, N.J. — A New Jersey man who won a $338 million Powerball jackpot, among the largest lottery winnings, is embroiled in a court fight with his former girlfriend over the money.

Pedro Quezada of Passaic, N.J., was the sole winner of the Powerball drawing last spring, worth about $152 million after taxes.

His lawyer argues that Inez Sanchez has no claim to the money because the couple were never married.

But attorneys for Sanchez say Quezada purchased the ticket based on the couple's shared earnings. Sanchez and Quezada lived together for 10 years, have a child together and shared ownership of a grocery store in Passaic, attorneys say.

Superior Court Chancery Judge Margaret Mary McVeigh refused to dismiss the lawsuit, and she denied a request from Sanchez to freeze Quezada's lottery winnings, pending the outcome of a trial to determine if she is entitled to a share of the money, The Record reported Saturday.

The judge said Friday that while the couple's relationship was long-term and Sanchez contributed to the household, the court has no legal framework for restraining Quezada's assets.

[In_The_Wind]

1. I know the courts can't help but IMO he should share the winnings.

Ten years and a child ... c'mon guy.

[NewJeffCT]

2. I know, it's not like it was a weekend fling

or even a few months together.

and, it's $152 million after taxes. It's not like he really needs every penny of that.

[In_The_Wind]

3. The guy is a jerk.

[pipi_k]

4. Asshole!!!!

He's getting 152 million after taxes and can't share it???

I'd be happy with ONE million!

Anyway, here's how my mom would handle similar scuffles over toys and such when we were kids...

If we couldn't share, nobody got it.

Period.

If I were the judge on this one, that's exactly what I would do. Work it out or go without.

[NV Whino]

5. Fair judgement would be to put it in a trust fund for the kid.

[avebury]

6. That would be a fair compromise.

He could set up a trust fund for the child with a portion of it used for the child's living expenses if the parents are now living apart. He could always name an independent third party to manage the trust fund to make sure that the funds are used appropriately.

The guy appears to come off as a jerk but there may be more to the story then we have heard.

[lastlib]

7. Even if there's more to it, he's still being a jerk.

Any decent man alive would bend over backward to make sure that the mother of his children (AND his children!) were comfortable and well-cared for.

(I'm speaking as a man, FWIW.)

[csziggy]

9. 10% of the cash out would give a hefty return

And could be set up in a Q-tip trust that could finance a generous standard of living for his ex-girlfriend and children. A provision could be set that the ex is not allowed to contact him or she loses the income. Then the principal could go straight to his children when the ex is gone.

Frankly, it would be worth it for the peace and quiet.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. ugh.

[rudolph the red]

10. What a dick

Pedro needs to pull his head out of his ass.