So, what's this 97 year old going to do with the money in the ... what? About two to thrtee months he'll probably live. Assuming after going there, claiming, and finally receiving SOME of the money ... will he even live to see it?
That's why he took the immediate payout; so that he would be entitled to it and could put it in an account for his grandchildren. Says it right in the article. Frankly, he's lucky the shock of winning didn't kill him right there...
I think you missed the dark humor I displayed. ;-) Anyway, glad he got it. I wonder if the Canadian laws are any similar to U.S. laws; I know there are cheats, work around to where you can give the money to the kids in such a way that they won't owe taxes, at least I recall hearing some from listening to the radio show Handle On the Law.
Down here in Florida we get old people losing their winning lottery tickets all the time. And their cars, their homes, their spouses, etc.... (Walking through a Walmart is like walking through a scene of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.)
Some game rules are different though In BC a game called Set for Life will pay you out $1,00o a week for 25 years ( $1,300,000)or you can take the lump sum of $650,000. but in any case you are only taxed on the interest you make off of it.