how can a lawyer keep a lottery winner's name anonymous when states require the name be public

by Jerrell Lakin 6 min read

Sign the ticket immediately: If you wish to remain anonymous, consult a knowledgeable trust and estates attorney right away on how to sign the ticket in the name of the trust. You need to establish ownership of the winning lottery ticket—the longer you leave the ticket unsigned, the more you risk someone taking it and claiming it for themselves.

In the case of lottery winners, the only name on the prize form is the trust's name and the trustee. Your lawyer or bank can act as the trustee, ensuring that your identity remains private. A trust can also help you manage your money by shielding it from scammers and criminals.Dec 7, 2021

Full Answer

Can you be anonymous if you win the lottery?

Right now only seven states allow lottery winners to maintain their anonymity: Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Texas, Ohio and South Carolina. And six states also allow people to form a trust to claim prize money anonymously. California entirely forbids lottery winners to remain anonymous.

Can you win the lottery without your name being revealed?

The bad news is that laws in most US states do not favor anonymity. However, there is a legal way around it, and it involves building trust. Thanks to that, the lottery company won’t reveal your name as the winner. Instead, they will inform the public that a trust organization won the prize.

Do lottery winners have to claim their lottery prizes publicly?

It should be noted right from the start that some lotteries require jackpot winners to claim their prize publicly in accordance with the laws of the country or state where the tickets were purchased. Other lotteries, however, allow jackpot winners to claim their prize anonymously.

How to hide identity after winning lottery?

The state of California does not permit lottery winners to hide their identities. California winners are compelled by law to reveal their names and locations. This places them at higher risk. Many people hope to keep their win private.

Why are lottery winners names made public?

They want the public to know that ordinary people can, and do, win lottery prizes, even incredible jackpot prizes worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Publishing the names of prize winners increases the public's trust in the fairness of lottery draws.

What kind of trust is best for lottery winnings?

Irrevocable trusts protect lottery winnings because the assets legally do not belong to you. They also benefit your survivors as they are not subject to estate taxes. Blind trusts are also suitable as they protect your winnings from unscrupulous relatives and friends who want your property.

How can I hide lottery winnings from my husband?

After you have made sure that you are truly the winner, sign the back of the lottery ticket and then write your name in small letters below the signature. Then photocopy the back and front of the ticket and hide the original ticket in a safe place.

Why do lottery winners have to go public?

The lotteries are striving for transparency in their operations. They want the public to know that ordinary people can, and do, win lottery prizes,...

Which lotteries let you win anonymously?

Among them are EuroJackpot, EuroMillions, SuperEnalotto, and La Primitiva.

Can you stay anonymous after winning the lottery?

While the vast majority of European lotteries, as well as Australian and New Zealand lottos, allows players to keep their identity and personal inf...

Do lottery winners have to go public?

There are strategies and legal entities you can create that will help you remain more private if you win the lottery

What can a lawyer do for a lotto?

In working with your lotto attorney, you can establish a trust (or multiple trusts) to handle the winnings.

What states have the right to remain anonymous?

Unfortunately, there are only seven states in which you have the legal right to remain anonymous: Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Still, there are ways you can protect your anonymity ...

How to protect your anonymity?

But if you end up being the lucky winner, you should take several steps to protect your anonymity. These include: Sign the ticket immediately: If you wish to remain anonymous, consult a knowledgeable trust and estates attorney right away on how to sign the ticket in the name of the trust. You need to establish ownership ...

Can you tell someone you won the lottery?

But as soon as you tell even one other person, the chances of the word getting out greatly increases. Do not go around telling people you’ve won the lottery, or even worse, promise to share your winnings.

Can you protect your anonymity if you live in another state?

Still, there are ways you can protect your anonymity even if you live in other states. Consider the recent example of a woman in New Hampshire who won a $559.7 million Powerball jackpot. The woman identified in court as Jane Doe had to sue to protect her anonymity.

Which states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous?

After a detailed analysis, we established that 11 states allow jackpot and all other prize winners to keep their anonymity. Those states include: Arizona. Delaware.

Why did a woman file a lawsuit against the lottery?

A Woman Filed a Lawsuit Because She Wanted to Stay Anonymous. The biggest controversy about the lottery winner’s anonymity might have been raised a couple of years ago in New Hampshire. A female player won $560 million on US Powerball, and she signed her ticket.

What to do after winning the lottery?

Check out these seven crucial tips on what to do after winning a lottery jackpot. 1. Take a Moment to Think. You will be over the moon for winning a lifechanging jackpot, and that is perfectly fine.

What to do when you win a jackpot?

As a jackpot winner, do your best to give something back to the community. You will find numerous charity organizations that you can donate money to, and it is up to you to pick the desired ones. Alternatively, you can also help family and friends by paying their bills, helping them to set a business, etc.

How to get peace of mind after winning the lottery?

The only way to get peace of mind is to ensure you remain anonymous. While your anonymity might vary depending on the applicable laws, there are ways to stay under the radar after winning the lottery. Here is a detailed guide on what you should do if you win a jackpot, and don’t want to tell anyone! Important Note No matter how you decide ...

How to deal with money prize?

Fortunately, you have some time before you receive the prize to come up with a strategy on how to deal with the money. 2. Keep Your Day Job. Don’t rush any decisions and keep your job, at least for now.

Can you stay anonymous if you win a lottery in Arizona?

That depends on the state where you won the prize. If you won the jackpot in Arizona, Texas, Virginia, North Dakota, South Carolina, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Kansas, or Georgia, you could stay anonymous. However, the law requires revealing the winner’s name publicly in other states.

How many lottery winners can claim their prize anonymously?

More than 50 lotteries available on theLotter allow jackpot winners to claim their prize anonymously. Among them are EuroJackpot, EuroMillions, SuperEnalotto, and La Primitiva. If you're wondering which of the lotteries on our website will allow you to stay anonymous after you win the jackpot, take a look at the lotteries listed below to find out.

Why do lottery winners publish their names?

Publishing the names of prize winners increases the public's trust in the fairness of lottery draws.

Why is it important to publish the names of lottery winners?

Publishing the names of prize winners increases the public's trust in the fairness of lottery draws. It's also important to note that state lotteries are paid through public funds, and their profits benefit public programs. Many argue that for this reason, it's the public's right to know who won. Stories of ordinary people winning jackpot prizes ...

Where was the lottery ticket purchased in 2016?

For example, the winning ticket of a $487 million US Powerball jackpot in July 2016 was purchased in New Hampshire, where lottery winners are required to go public. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, claimed the $487 million prize through the Robin Egg 2016 Nominee Trust facilitated by a local law firm.

Is the Powerball jackpot winner anonymous?

Court Rules Jackpot Winner To Remain Anonymous. When another New Hampshire woman was the sole winner of a $560 million Powerball jackpot in January 2018, she quickly signed the back of her winning ticket. At the time she did not know that state law required her identity to be made public.

Where are Mega Millions sold?

Other jurisdictions where Mega Millions and Powerball tickets are sold, such as Washington, D.C. , the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, require lottery winners to come forward publicly.

Can you keep your lottery winnings secret?

Lottery winners have said that it is nearly impossible to keep their lottery wins a secret. "We would have preferred to stay anonymous, but we recognised it wasn't a possibility ," said Christine Weir, who along with her husband won a £161 million EuroMillions jackpot in July 2011.

How to stay anonymous when winning the lottery?

If you win the lottery and really want to stay anonymous, research the rules for your state. You might be able to claim the money in the name of a trust. Then find trusted advisors like tax attorneys, trust and estate attorneys, and accountants.

Which states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous?

Right now only seven states allow lottery winners to maintain their anonymity: Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Texas, Ohio and South Carolina. And six states also allow people to form a trust to claim prize money anonymously. California entirely forbids lottery winners to remain anonymous.

Is the winning ticket in New Hampshire public record?

Under New Hampshire law, the winner’s name, town and winning amount are public record. Because the woman signed the ticket in her own name, state officials told her that they would be compelled to disclose her identity in the event someone files a Right-to-Know request for the winning drawing.

How many states allow anonymous lottery winners?

Powerball tickets are sold in 44 states, as well as in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. As of last time we looked, all but six states require lottery winners to come forward publicly. Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina allow winners to remain anonymous. Many other states are in the process of enacting such laws- some may even require you to donate some money to charity if you want to remain anonymous. Other states permit winners to create limited liability companies, so that when their names have to be announced, it’s the companies and not individuals that are identified. Think seriously about that.

Which states allow anonymous donations?

Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina allow winners to remain anonymous. Many other states are in the process of enacting such laws- some may even require you to donate some money to charity if you want to remain anonymous.

What does Kenny Rogers say about safe moves?

Make safe moves, and by all means, don’t show it off or brag about it . It’s like Kenny Rogers said (with my own personal remix): Every gambler knows. That the secret to survivin’. Is knowin’ what to throw away. And knowin’ what to keep (locked in a safe) ‘Cause every hand’s a winner. And every hand’s a loser.

Does Monopoly have a fiduciary duty?

You won’t believe the tax issues which could come up- state taxes, federal taxes, gift taxes, corporate taxes and other taxes even the game Monopoly didn’t try to make up. The lawyer can help with this, as they have a fiduciary (financial) duty to you.

Can you dispute custody of a ticket?

Although disputes can happen and custody can be disputed, whoever signs the ticket and presents a photo ID can claim the prize. You may be requested to verify where you bought it and/or how you obtained custody.

How long does it take to win the lottery in Tennessee?

How long does it take to get lottery winnings in Tennessee? For instant games, the winner has 90 days from the announced end of game. For drawing-style games, players have 180 days after the date of the drawing to claim their prize for a winning ticket.

Can you remain anonymous when winning the lottery?

Remaining anonymous when you win the lottery can only be done in six U.S. states: Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina. The remaining states where Powerball is sold, including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, require that winners publicly disclose their identity.

Can lottery winners remain anonymous in Tennessee?

Lottery winners in Tennessee cannot remain anonymous. Under the state's lottery policy, a person's name, home state and hometown are a matter of public record.