Lottery Disputes in Michigan

Whose Money Is It?

The first thing that happens when many people find out there is a winning lotto ticket floating around is to think, "I wonder if any of it belongs to me?" Lottery winners are sued for a variety of reasons. And conversely, there are just as many people suing, looking for that instant fortune. Our lottery lawyers believe that everyone should have a chance at getting what is rightfully his or hers, as well as have access to a strong legal team that will pursue, or defend his or her claim.

The Causes

There are a number of reasons and issues that give rise to a lottery dispute, or lottery litigation. Some of the most common claims are:

• The Workplace Lotto Pools: It seems to be a rather usual occurrence these days that a group of co-workers all chip in for lottery tickets and end up winning. The problem? One person steps forward and claims the whole jackpot, leaving the rest of the group wanting their cut of the pie and a mess of facts to sort out. There are several steps that a workplace lotto group should take to protect everyone's interest, such as have one person run the pool, have rules for how payment and participation works, have someone sign all the tickets indicating that the tickets are for the group, and make copies of all the tickets for everyone.
• Rightful Ownership of the Ticket: In some cases, family members or friends buy a ticket, stating that it's for the benefit of all involved — until the ticket is a winner. This situation creates an issue of who really owns the ticket. The dispute can become intensively fact-based and quite complicated to prove for a person on either side of the argument. Rightful owner situations have also come about when people have lost or mistakenly discarded what they thought was a losing ticket; the ticket being later found and redeemed by another person. A couple of methods to protect your tickets are to sign all your tickets to prevent others from claiming them, and make copies of all tickets.
• Denied Payment for a Winning Ticket: The Lottery Commission does not want to pay out claims when facts might mitigate against it. Most denied payments are because of issues and circumstances that the Commission thinks may be indicative of a lost or stolen ticket. The Lottery Commission has, in most cases, the authority to deny claims after merely holding a hearing. A hearing allows a person to state why he or she thinks he or she is entitled to the money. Your best protection is to have good representation at the hearing to present all the necessary facts.

Contact an Attorney at Willis Law to Pursue or Protect Your Winnings

For any of your lottery dispute issues, we have a knowledgeable team of lottery attorneys ready to help you obtain what you deserve. It is essential to present your claim in a timely manner and protect what is rightfully yours. Our team of lotto lawyers will effectively represent your interests.