why should i contact an attorney if i win the lottery

If you have a chance of winning the lottery, it is advisable to hire a lawyer to protect your identity at all times. Rather than putting a bag over your head when you go for a walk in public, or lying down pretending to be a certain person, there is a barrier built in that can prevent others from grabbing your identity.

Full Answer

What kind of lawyer should you hire after winning the lottery?

Aug 30, 2018 · That's why a lawyer's help really comes in handy. A lottery lawyer is part of the advisory team that winners should put together to help them wade through the legalities of claiming a prize without making costly mistakes. A good lottery lawyer can protect jackpot winners, their families, and their hard-won cash.

How should I handle my lottery winnings?

May 28, 2020 · Lottery winners are more likely to declare bankruptcy. Getting a large sum of money is exciting, especially if you’ve never had a lot of it before. However, lottery winners often lose track of their money and end up filing for bankruptcy. This is why lottery winners will need both an accountant and a lawyer. Your accountant keeps track of all your money and tells you …

Who is the go-to attorney for lottery winners?

Jan 20, 2021 · A good lottery lawyer will have plenty of experience working with past lottery winners. They'll be familiar with the nuances of what it means to instantly come across large sums of money. More specifically, they'll have intimate knowledge on …

Does winning the lottery mean you never have to worry about money?

Sep 19, 2013 · Pay off your debts. Tales of lottery winners who are broke today are often about those who won $5 million or less, not $250 million. “You …

Why do you need a financial advisor if you win the lottery?

Although many people dream of winning the lottery, it can feel like a nightmare when you're confused about what to do next. You need a financial advisor who has your best interest. Not only will we help safeguard your lottery winnings - we'll help you deal with the emotional aspects of receiving money suddenly.

What is the first thing you should do if you win a big lottery?

What to Do After Claiming Your PrizeConsult With the Professionals You Hired. These professionals exist to help you, not the other way around. ... Pay Off Most Debts. ... Start an Emergency Fund. ... Put Away Money for Retirement. ... Diversify Your Investments. ... Set Up College Funds. ... Give to Those Less Fortunate. ... Learn to Say No.

Should you move if you win the lottery?

Don't Make Major Changes in Your Life. If someone were to ask you what you would do once you become a Powerball winner, you might say, "quit my job" or "buy a mansion." However, experts suggest that you don't make any big moves immediately.Dec 31, 2021

Can I give my family money if I win the lottery?

Each person can give away, during life or at death, a certain amount of property before the tax kicks in. ... So by claiming the lottery winnings as a family partnership, a winner can claim that they are not making a taxable gift, because it was a family investment. This could save millions in gift taxes.Mar 28, 2012

Why do you need a lawyer for lottery winnings?

Some of the benefits of hiring a lottery lawyer are: They can help you keep as much of your winnings as you legally can. They can help protect your identity. They can introduce you to the right people. They can set up your estate for your family's future.

What to do if you win the lottery?

If you won the lottery, the first person you want to hire: an attorney. That’s right, just one. It’s true that you’re going to need all sorts of lawyers who specialize in taxes, trusts, estates, and the like. But, you don’t really need to hire an entire cavalcade immediately.

Who is Jason Kurland?

Billed as the “go-to attorney for jackpot winners,” Jason Kurland is often called upon by the national media for lottery commentaries. Whenever jackpots reach record highs, expect him to give his 2 cents. Kurland has also represented some of the biggest winners in recent lottery history, including:

What is a good lottery lawyer?

They can protect you from potential lawsuits and counsel you in such events. A good lottery lawyer will help you find legal ways of minimizing your tax liability. They'll also be able to assist you in setting up a trust or other legal entity to claim your winnings, if you need to.

Who won the 2011 Powerball?

Kurland has also represented some of the biggest winners in recent lottery history, including: Putnam Avenue Family Trust: Also known as the winner of the $254 million Powerball jackpot of November 2011. Rainbow Sherbert Trust: Also known as the winner of the $336 million Powerball jackpot of March 2012.

Who is Kurt Panouses?

As an attorney and CPA that’s been practicing for more than 30 years, Kurt Panouses is one lawyer you’d want on your shortlist. Not only does he offer services ranging from drafting simple wills to assisting in million-dollar business transactions, Panouses also provides counsel and guidance to lottery winners.

Who is Walt Blenner?

Walt Blenner. Walt Blenner (inset) and client Shane Missler. Practicing out of Tampa Bay, Walt Blenner is a personal injury lawyer who also dabbles in estate planning. And yes, he also represents lottery winners.

What to do after lottery win?

3 People You Must Hire After a Lottery Win 1 The Attorney. This is the first person to hire. An attorney can help you keep the ticket safe until you have your team in place to help you handle your winnings. An attorney may advise you to set up a trust and transfer “ownership" of the ticket to the trust, for which you are the sole trustee. You’ll still receive your winnings, but the trust can save you on taxes. 2 The Financial Advisor. This person will help you set up accounts that keep your money growing in order to guarantee a safe income for you throughout your lifetime. A financial advisor will also investigate any financial investment requests that you will receive from family, friends or people you’ve never heard of, but who will assure you that you can make millions more with their method or product. 3 Accountant. This person will handle all the tax matters and keep you out of trouble with the IRS. After the government takes their initial cut, there are still more taxes to pay.

What does a financial advisor do?

A financial advisor will also investigate any financial investment requests that you will receive from family, friends or people you’ve never heard of, but who will assure you that you can make millions more with their method or product. Accountant.

What is the number to call for California pensions?

California Pensions, incorporated since 1968, designs and administers financial plans for professionals. Call 310-400-5571 or email [email protected] today to set up your appointment.

Why do I need a lawyer?

Stay anonymous, if possible. Another reason to hire a lawyer first is for help creating an entity, such as a revocable living trust or a family limited partnership that masks your personal identity.

How much is the Powerball jackpot worth?

The latest Powerball jackpot is worth about $400 million, the fourth largest jackpot in the history of the game.

How old was the widow who won the Powerball?

More pertinent is your age. The biggest payout to a single Powerball winner occurred in May, when an 84-year-old widow from Florida took her $370 million pretax payout at once.

How to get money?

Once you have your money 1 Bank it. Don't show up at the cashier counter with a check for millions—talk to the bank's upper management or private banking department ahead of time to discuss the best options for holding large amounts of money. Remember, the government only insures individual bank accounts up to $250,000, so think about spreading your wealth around multiple accounts and banks. 2 Set a budget. Silly, right? You have all the money you'd ever need—why do you need a budget? Actually, it's not silly at all. Sit down with your advisors and take a hard look at how much you really have after federal, state, and local taxes; what new annual expenses you'll have (for things like property taxes and upkeep and paying your financial team); and how much you want to give to charity. Think about future higher-education expenses for your family and how much you'll need in your golden years. Then set strict monthly and annual budgets for what's leftover and stick to them. 3 Form a charity and giving plan. As soon as people find out you've hit it big, you're going to have to deal with a lot of financial requests from friends, family, and charities. Talk to your team about gifting taxation structures and how much you can give each year while still maintaining the lifestyle you desire. You may also consider forming an official charity foundation.

How to secure a blind trust?

Make several copies of both sides to show your new lawyer and/or accountant (see below), and then lock the actual ticket away in a bank safe deposit box or a secure personal safe. Once you have a team of advisors in place, have them look over the rules and contract before you sign the original ticket—in some cases, signing your ticket might prevent you from creating a blind trust later.