[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Zeke

@MikeSid, some correct. The only way to go about it is to contact a lotto attorney before doing anything else. And the first thing they will tell you is to protect your ticket.

YOU DO NOT do no. 3 and 4. Some states require you to present the ticket in person therefore identifying yourself. An attorney can do a work around. Otherwise the last 3 items will eat you.

I'd leave for parts unknown with no forwarding address other than said attorney.

That’s what I’ve always told my wife. If we ever win, we are leaving town with the kids and that’s that.

She of course thinks you could manage it and be charitable with a large extended family, and while I’m all for helping people, that would quickly turn into a dumpster fire. People would come out of the woodwork with their hands out, and it would never be enough. Either you would have to perpetually feed the beast until the money was gone, or you would have to family and friends constantly mad at you. I think something like 75% of lottery winners end up bankrupt and divorced, it’s obviously not the ticket to happiness that some envision.

I’m with Mike, a “mere” $5M or so would be great. Enough to really set you up for life, not enough to ruin your life, and much easier to keep quiet.