An Australian family has been torn apart over a lottery win worth almost $666,775.
William John Bampton, 92, from Queensland, Australia, had his life turned upside down after winning a $657,440 lottery jackpot in March 2018.
But things take a turn for the worse when he tries to repossess the $200,032 “gift” he gave his daughter, ending in a nasty legal battle that has left the elderly father estranged from his two children.
According to a Brisbane District Court ruling last month, Mr Bampton put down a $33,338 deposit on the four-bedroom house shortly after winning the lottery.
William John Bampton, 92, of Twin Waters on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, had his life turned upside down after winning the lottery jackpot in March 2018. Stephen VanHorn – stock.adobe.com
He later paid an additional $336,741 to purchase the property in joint ownership with his son Larry Bampton.
In August of that year, he gave $200,032 to his daughter, Suzanne Elaine Vourlides.
The transaction became the focus of contention as Mr Bampton sought to set aside the cash, claiming he had been unduly influenced or subjected to inappropriate conduct by Mrs Vourlides.
Bampton tried to return the $200,032 “gift” he gave his daughter, ending in a nasty legal battle that left the elderly father estranged from his two children. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com
Mr Bampton claimed an argument with his daughter in early August 2018 left him “overwhelmed” with no choice but to make the payment, according to court documents
Instead, Mrs. Vourlides asserted that her father willingly gifted her $200,032 of his own free will.
Judge Suzanne Sheridan, in a comprehensive 39-page judgment, noted the extensive evidence presented by both sides.
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Importantly, court documents make it clear that, at the time of the hearing, Mr Bampton did not have a diagnosis of dementia.
Despite Mr Bampton’s plea, Judge Sheridan dismissed the claim, hinting at the possibility of an order for costs unless an agreement between the parties could be reached.
“Although Mr Bampton is elderly and has health problems, the medical evidence shows that he has full capacity and understands well and is able to manage his financial affairs,” he said.
“I cannot accept that Mrs Vourlides took advantage of Mr Bampton without realizing it.
“I am prepared to accept that the award is fair, equitable and reasonable in the circumstances.”
Mrs Vourlides said the dispute had devastated her family.
“At the end of the day, I’m over it, frankly, it’s destroyed people’s lives. It’s all horrible,” he told The Courier Mail.
Larry, the brother caught up in the turmoil and a resident of the Sunshine Coast revealed that his father had stopped communicating with him.
“No one wins from this, it just destroys everyone in the family,” he told the publication.
“Despite Mr Bampton’s advanced age and medical conditions, the medical evidence shows that he has full capacity and is well informed and able to manage his financial affairs,” Judge Suzanne Sheridan said. mehaniq41 – stock.adobe.com
“The worst thing that ever happened was that he won a million dollars.
“One of the tragic lotto stories, I think.”
Mr Bampton said he intended to appeal the court’s decision, lamenting that there was no victory left.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
