How does one legally bind a wager?

[Vausch]

With the rash of apocalypse hypotheses (not theories, look up the difference abusers of that word) and so many people willing to give away their life savings because of said hypotheses, I figured I could make some wagers with people for the upcoming October 21st 2011 and December 21st 2012 dates to put myself through school. With my current lack of finding work and scholarships continuing to elude me, I figured this could be a good way since some people seem very willing to give away their money.

Now my problem is actually getting them to pay. I made this same bet in May for that apocalypse date and the person refused to pay up. So much for Romans 13:7-8, that selective interpreting cheat. Is there a way to get some sort of legal binding, like if I wrote up a contract and had a witness would that be enough?

Here's hoping I can get through school with this, anybody else who wants in on this, be my guest.

 

[Dirzzit]

Write up a paper then get a notary (My time to shine ) Sign it with both parties and make copies.

Boom, legally binding. Also make sure everyone is 18+

 

[aba1]

you sir are a cleaver man

 

[Seives-Sliver]

Get it in writing, and approved through the proper channels, and have them sign it with witnesses presiding, and boom, legally-binding trip to easy street.

 

[PickledMonkey]

So wait a minute.... You're betting people their life savings that their won't be an apocalypse, and you're surprised that they won't pay up? No one in their right mind takes this wager with the intention of following through. If anything, it's just a friendly bet. Should the party on either side consider this to be grounds for a solid deal is a sad sight indeed.

Plus, OP I do not support this sort of behavior. I'm sorry you can't find a job or a scholarship, but this is in no way an honest way to make money. You're preying on the misguided to further your own life goals. I think you should definitely reconsider this source of income.

 

[Vausch]

Write up a paper then get a notary (My time to shine ) Sign it with both parties and make copies.

Boom, legally binding. Also make sure everyone is 18+

Well the last part is easy enough, but how does one get a notary exactly?

you sir are a cleaver man

Thank you very much.

 

[Exterminas]

Write up a paper then get a notary (My time to shine ) Sign it with both parties and make copies.

Boom, legally binding. Also make sure everyone is 18+

Well the last part is easy enough, but how does one get a notary exactly?

you sir are a cleaver man

Thank you very much.

You pick up the phone book, call a notary and go to him with the religious nut you intend to gouge.

You shake hands with the notary, pay him a couple hundred bucks for the handshake and a piece of paper.

 

[Vausch]

So wait a minute.... You're betting people their life savings that their won't be an apocalypse, and you're surprised that they won't pay up? No one in their right mind takes this wager with the intention of following through. If anything, it's just a friendly bet. Should the party on either side consider this to be grounds for a solid deal is a sad sight indeed.

Plus, OP I do not support this sort of behavior. I'm sorry you can't find a job or a scholarship, but this is in no way an honest way to make money. You're preying on the misguided to further your own life goals. I think you should definitely reconsider this source of income.

No no no no, not their life savings! I only bet a hundred bucks. I wouldn't ruin a person's life for my own gain or I'd be no better than Harold Camping.

You call it preying on the misguided, I call it living up to the term "A fool and his money are soon parted". I'd never bet so much that a person would go bankrupt, it's the same way I don't bet everything even when I'm card counting (turns out what those guys in 21 did is rather easy but the profit margin is minimal at best). At most I'm making 100 dollar bets with as many people as possible.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

Write up a paper then get a notary (My time to shine ) Sign it with both parties and make copies.

Boom, legally binding. Also make sure everyone is 18+

Well the last part is easy enough, but how does one get a notary exactly?

Most banks have notaries on staff, as do pretty much all legal offices. The only difference is, the ones at banks will usually do notary work for free, whereas in a legal office, you likely have to pay just to walk through the front door.

Keep in mind, though, that depending on local laws where you live, this may be prohibited under gambling laws.

 

[Vausch]

Write up a paper then get a notary (My time to shine ) Sign it with both parties and make copies.

Boom, legally binding. Also make sure everyone is 18+

Well the last part is easy enough, but how does one get a notary exactly?

Most banks have notaries on staff, as do pretty much all legal offices. The only difference is, the ones at banks will usually do notary work for free, whereas in a legal office, you likely have to pay just to walk through the front door.

Keep in mind, though, that depending on local laws where you live, this may be prohibited under gambling laws.

Thanks!

I'm sure the gambling laws around here aren't very strict, legally you can play at 18. I'll do some more searching but I'm sure I'm in the clear.

 

[PickledMonkey]

No no no no, not their life savings! I only bet a hundred bucks. I wouldn't ruin a person's life for my own gain or I'd be no better than Harold Camping.

You call it preying on the misguided, I call it living up to the term "A fool and his money are soon parted". I'd never bet so much that a person would go bankrupt, it's the same way I don't bet everything even when I'm card counting (turns out what those guys in 21 did is rather easy but the profit margin is minimal at best). At most I'm making 100 dollar bets with as many people as possible.

Okay, that's a lot more reasonable. I still think this is a dishonest way of getting money, but not nearly as bad as I first thought. Even so, $100 is still a healthy lump of cash. I still wouldn't expect anyone to seriously make that bet unless they really didn't care about their money. It's one thing to shake hands on something, and an entirely different thing to ask them to go through the hassle of signing a legal document with witnesses.

Either way, I'm not quite sure how to create a legally binding wager. I'd suggest Google(which you probably have already done) or talk to a lawyer(which is probably too expensive, since you're trying to make money int he first place). /Shrug, wish I could help.

 

[manaman]

Why would anyone make a bet that the world is going to end?

That sounds like a dumb move on anyones part. The world ends and they don't get to enjoy the winnings. The would doesn't end and they have to pay up. Doesn't seem like they get anything out of the deal at all.

Now the money is in ultra high interest loans. Which you will see a lot of people not paying. What you need then is help from my "boys" bust a few knee caps, see, and the money, it just starts pouring in.

At least with the ultra high interest loan the person gets money to use before the supposed event occurs and can bank on it happening to never have to pay the loan off (which of course they will have to since the world won't end).

 

[Ironic Pirate]

you sir are a cleaver man

Why yes, a cleaver man would do well in the apocalypse, what with all his machetes and such.

 

[Vausch]

Why would anyone make a bet that the world is going to end?

That sounds like a dumb move on anyones part. The world ends and they don't get to enjoy the winnings. The would doesn't end and they have to pay up. Doesn't seem like they get anything out of the deal at all.

That's the beauty of it. The only conclusion I could come to is making the bet the world will end only proves their faith (on the October and May dates anyway).

 

[Vausch]

you sir are a cleaver man

Why yes, a cleaver man would do well in the apocalypse, what with all his machetes and such.

I prefer my katana, thank you very much. In any case, where I live there's so many guns available to not be prepared for an invasion is practically impossible.

 

[Chibz]

I still think this is a dishonest way of getting money

Anyone who is stupid enough to make this bet deserves to lose all their money. Maybe they'll come out a little wiser. Then again, probably not...

Why would anyone make a bet that the world is going to end?

Because they are clinically insane and probably need medical help, or their money lost in a bet. Guess which one is actually possible to get them. *Eye roll*

 

[Ironic Pirate]

you sir are a cleaver man

Why yes, a cleaver man would do well in the apocalypse, what with all his machetes and such.

I prefer my katana, thank you very much. In any case, where I live there's so many guns available to not be prepared for an invasion is practically impossible.

I know, right?

I wouldn't even have to do anything the people in this area are so well armed.

 

[Vausch]

could it be that Harold Camping is keeping us alive?
since Matthew 24:36 says

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only

i can see God shaking his fist and screaming: 'damn you Harold Camping! damn you! now i have to find another date, again!'

Doesn't that mean if I just keep saying "the world is going to end tomorrow, it's in the bible!" every day I'm saving the world?