i won the lottery what kind of lawyer do i need

by Mr. Cale McCullough III 5 min read

There are different types of lawyers you’ll want to look for after winning the lottery. A tax lawyer, trust and estate attorney, and asset protection lawyer are just a few examples. Ideally, you'll want just one lawyer who can fulfill all those roles. If that isn't possible, at least look for ones who work in the same firm.

Full Answer

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

Aug 30, 2018 ¡ You don't necessarily need a lawyer who brands themselves as a lottery lawyer, but you do want someone who has experience managing large windfalls. Good lottery lawyers have experience with taxes, estate planning, setting up trusts, and protecting assets.

How should I handle my lottery winnings?

You do not need any lawyer if you are fortunate enough to win the lottery. If you win the lottery you need an estate agent to help you find a beautiful house with a pool, you need a travel agent to arrange exotic holidays in far away places, you will need a Ferrari car main dealer to find you a top of the range car. You do not need a lawyer.

Who is the go-to attorney for lottery winners?

May 28, 2020 · 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 how to invest it properly. Whereas your lawyer can tell you what you legally can and can’t do with your money.

Do you need a retirement advisor to claim your lottery winnings?

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. The Financial Advisor.

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What should I do first if I win the 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.

How do you remain anonymous after winning the lottery?

Another way is to not tell anyone you scored the jackpot or change much of your lifestyle to avoid having your identity revealed. Deleting social media accounts, changing phone numbers, and addresses can also be an alternative to remaining anonymous.Aug 19, 2021

How long does it take to get your money after you win the lottery?

If you elected the cash option or if your prize is only offered in a single payment, your check should arrive approximately six to eight weeks from your claim date. If your prize is to be paid in installments, your first payment should be available within six to eight weeks from your claim date.

What do lottery winners do with their money?

Lottery Winners Use Their Prizes to Make Investments Further down on the list, lottery winners spent their winnings on luxury cars, gifts to family and friends, holidays, and paying off debts and mortgages. This study also highlighted just how much winners spend on their friends and family.

Should I take the lottery lump sum or annuity?

Choosing a lump-sum payout can help winners avoid long-term tax implications and also provides the opportunity to immediately invest in high-yield financial options like real estate and stocks. Electing a long-term annuity payout can have major tax benefits. Federal taxes reduce lottery winnings immediately.

Where do you collect lottery winnings?

Prizes Above R50,000Office LocationAddressLimpopo15 Hans van Rensburg Street Polokwane Central 0700 PolokwaneMpumalanga99 Jacaranda Ave West Acres 1201 NelspruitNorth West34A Marais Street 2999 RustenburgWestern Cape200 Main Road Claremont 7708 Cape Town4 more rows

Do you have to pay tax if you win lottery?

If you just won the lottery, you might be wondering whether there is any tax to pay on lottery winnings. The quick answer is no: no Capital Gains Tax. no Income Tax.Feb 17, 2022

How do I collect my lottery winnings from FNB?

Prizes Won via PhoneFNB: *120*321# or *130*321#Nedbank: *120*001.Standard Bank: *120*2345#

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.

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 look for when choosing a lottery lawyer?

What to Look For When Choosing a Lottery Attorney. You should take your time when looking for a lottery lawyer. The difference between a good lawyer and a bad one can easily cost you your money, time, and worse. Choose from different candidates, so you can find the best one.

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.

Why do you need a trusted adviser?

That's why you'll need a capable and trustworthy adviser guiding you from day one. They'll help you make tough decisions you've likely never had to face before.

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 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:

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.

Do you get paid for a month on a trust?

You may need to add “member,” “partner” or “trustee,” etc. You won’t get paid for a month or so, according to most sources. This not only gives you time to get things in order, but can be an excruciating wait.

Who is the first in line in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas?

Uncle Sam (and Aunt Samantha) will be First in Line. We do not recommend following in the footsteps of the characters in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which was based on two trips to Las Vegas, Nevada, that Hunter S. Thompson took with his attorney Oscar Zeta Acosta in March and April 1971.

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.

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 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 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 to protect your ticket?

Protect your ticket. Sign your winning ticket, make copies of it and stash the original in a safe-deposit box. If you are separated from the ticket, your signature should ensure you won’t be separated from the prize. The safe-deposit box will help ensure you’re not separated from it. Get help before you claim the prize.

Do you have to choose whether to receive 30 allotments or a single payment?

Winners must choose whether to receive 30 annual allotments or a single payment, a choice that’s often made based on the tax ramifications. But since taxes are likely to be going up, it’s better to have even a lesser amount taxed at lower rates—and your annual payments are going to take a tax hit anyway.

Does spending diminish over time?

The pleasure of spending diminishes over time, after all. The pleasure of having it doesn’t. Name your charity. Eventually, experts say, someone sitting on several hundreds of millions starts to think of their legacy—and ways to reduce the taxes now, and on their survivors when they go.

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.

Who can help you keep a ticket safe?

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.

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 csellner@pacpensions.com today to set up your appointment.

Can you go bankrupt from lavish spending?

Lavish spending for a few years can quickly lead to burning through millions , and winners often end up declaring bankruptcy. “ People need advisors and accounts set up before claiming their winnings," advises Bruce Ellner, a professional retirement planner with California Pensions, “the professionals will help the winner hold on to as much ...

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