Hi guys-
I am no lawyer, I'm a shrink. But I have a couple of concerns because we may be inadvertently working against our efforts to help out a Brother Rider.
1) Jerry, please ask your attorney if the money that people are donating is considered your income, and if it might therefore be considered community property in California. I also live in California, and if the money donated off this Forum is community property, then we are actually donating half to your spouse's lawyer. This might not be the case, but it's best if you check, especially since there is a very public record of what people are donating or promising to donate. Also, if this Forum starts generating money directly to you, then it might go from a web forum to a BUSINESS, and that's not good.
2) Ask your lawyer about "wasting an asset", which is what you might be doing if you sold the bike for $1 or something like that. You can't just get rid of an asset for a cheap price- the fair market value of the bike is what the court will consider its value to be. Also ask about raffling it off.
3) Gentlemen of The Norton Community: until Jerry gets some advice from his lawyer, you might want to stop stating how much money you are donating. Not stop donating, just stop stating the dollar amounts. It may not happen, but it is possible that these statements could be considered evidence of income, thus subject to taxes and community property laws. I deal with a lot of Hollywood and Beverly Hills divorces, and they can get pretty creative...
4) It is of course up to you; but man oh man, don't sell the bike unless you really want to sell it. Don't sell it for money- only if you want to be rid of it emotionally or practically. Like if you want a new 961, for instance. The times I have sold off cars or other toys just to pay for things, I have regretted later.
Please understand that I am NOT a lawyer; but I am advising you to talk to one.
So sorry to hear you are going through this. I've been there myself, and even if it goes well, it's a difficult and painful experience. Drop me a note if you want some support. And good luck to you.
eric