what type of lawyer should i see if i won the powerball

by Reyes Rohan 6 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.

A good lottery lawyer knows the ins and outs of lottery law and has represented other big winners and people who have received unexpected financial windfalls. They should have proven experience with tax law, trust planning, asset protection, and other financial considerations in your specific statet.Dec 30, 2020

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Should I hire a lawyer if I win the lottery?

Aug 30, 2018 · The lottery lawyer isn't the only important team member that a new jackpot winner needs. An accountant and a financial advisor with experience in helping people deal with large windfalls are also very helpful. A lottery lawyer can help winners pick the other members of …

What should you do if you win the Powerball jackpot?

Oct 09, 2019 ¡ Know What To Do If You Win The Lottery? A Lawyer Provides His Counsel An Expert Lawyer Advises What To Do When You Win The Lottery Lottery Written By Katie Kohler on October 9, 2019 - Last Updated on December 3, 2019 It really did turn out to be your lucky day.

Who is the Attorney for the lottery in Philadelphia?

Oct 11, 2018 ¡ "The time between the day you win the lottery and the day you claim is your last period of normalcy," said Jason Kurland, a partner at Rivkin Radler, a law firm in Uniondale, New York. 2. Protect ...

Could you be a Powerball winner and not know it?

Feb 11, 2012 ¡ Rather than signing on to a group of advisors that someone else has put together, he recommends handpicking your own lawyer, accountant and investment advisor, and requiring them to work together....

Should I hire a financial advisor if I win the lottery?

The best financial advisor for lottery winners will work with you even before you receive the money. They will be a critical resource to help prepare you for the money and help you create a comprehensive financial plan.

What should you do if you win the Powerball?

The first thing to think about is making sure your golden ticket is secure. According to State Farm, winners should make several copies of the ticket - both sides - to show to an attorney or accountant. Then make sure the ticket is physically safe, placing it in a safe or bank safe deposit box.Oct 4, 2021

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.Jun 11, 2021

How long after winning the Powerball do you get the money?

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.

How do you stay safe after winning the lottery?

Take a deep breath and take your time. You have a set amount of time to turn in your ticket, so don't run off to the lottery office first thing the next morning. Let yourself calm down, and then set to work carefully forming your team and plans before you contact the lottery officials. Protect your privacy.

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

Currently, that amount is about $5 million a person. Any property given away over that is taxed at the rate of 35%. 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

Is it better to take a lump-sum or annuity for lottery?

Many lottery winners end up taking the lump sum and spending all their money in a few years. Taking the annuity option gives yourself time to figure out how you want to manage your money, and protects you against yourself as well as anyone who might take advantage of you.Feb 15, 2022

How does a blind trust work for lottery winners?

Donate your winning lottery ticket to the trust, and the trustee can then collect your prize in the trust's name and invest it. You can still choose to accept the funds in a lump sum or installments, but they will be paid to the trust instead of to you as an individual.

How long does it take to set up a trust?

Provided all parties (i.e. trustees and settlor) are available and agreeable to set up the family trust, it's a quick process to legally establish the trust. It's possible to set up a family trust within 1-2 business days in normal circumstances which includes an allowance for taxation and legal advice to be sought.Jul 30, 2020

How long do you have to claim lottery winnings?

If the prizes are not claimed within 90 days of the draw date*, they will go to promote the National Lottery which in turn will increase the funds raised for Good Causes. Yes – you can play if you're 18 or over. Play responsibly, play for fun.

Do Powerball tickets carry over?

When you buy a Powerball ticket at the store, unless you pay for multiple drawings, it is only valid for the next drawing. In other words, if your Powerball ticket doesn't win, it's not eligible to win in future drawings, unless you specifically pay for multiple drawings.

Who brought the black box to the lottery?

Graves, followed him, carrying a three-legged stool, and the stool was put in the center of the square and Mr. Summers set the black box down on it. The villagers kept their distance, leaving a space between themselves and the stool, and when Mr.

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 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:

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 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.

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.

What to do if you win the Powerball lottery?

Here’s a ‘to do’ list if you win the Powerball lottery 1 The Powerball jackpot is now worth $700 million. 2 If you win, your first call should be to your attorney. 3 The IRS and your state will make sure they get a (big) piece of your winnings.

How much is the Powerball jackpot worth?

The Powerball jackpot is now worth $700 million. If you win, your first call should be to your attorney. The IRS and your state will make sure they get a (big) piece of your winnings. If you happen to be the winner of Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, you’re looking at a cool $700 million plus.

How to get a prize if you are separated from the ticket?

Make sure to sign the winning ticket and make several copies. If you are somehow separated from the ticket, your signature should help ensure you still get the prize. To avoid that separation in the first place, put the original in a protected place, like a safe-deposit box.

How long do you have to present a lottery ticket?

Typically, lottery winners have three months to present their ticket. Before you decide to prove you’ve won, however, it’s best to first enlist the help of a team of pros: an attorney (this should be your first call), a financial planner and an accountant. It’s not uncommon for winners to face legal claims, sometimes from coworkers who ...

What to think about before spending a dime?

Before spending a dime, think about what this sudden wealth means. Not only financially, but emotionally. Before giving in to the temptation to fill your driveway with multiple Teslas, give yourself time to process the magnitude of your win. This is often when winners begin to think about their legacy and what societal contributions they want to make. Some even set up their own charitable organizations.

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.

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.

What should you do after you win the lottery?

Pritchard advises taking adequate steps to protect the winning ticket and your anonymity. You should put the ticket in a safe deposit box, if possible. Pritchard also recommends limiting the number of people who know you won.

Hire the right lawyer after your lottery win

There are few “lottery lawyers” for the simple reason; there aren’t enough potential clients winning lotteries.

Trust, personality matters when choosing a lawyer

Pritchard brings up another point before engaging counsel; make sure you like the lawyer, feel they are trustworthy and has your best interests at heart. After all, you will be working closely with this person during a pressure-packed period of time.

What lottery win amount calls for hiring a lawyer?

Obviously, Powerball jackpots call for legal counsel. But what about other wins? Is there a certain number that should trigger a call to an attorney?

Protective measures from scams and frivolous lawsuits

Winning the lottery should be a happy time. So, it might be especially hard for you to say “no.”

About your lottery winnings

When you win a large sum of money, a qualified attorney and other professionals can help provide you with various options to address a number of issues.

You might need more than a lawyer

A qualified lawyer isn’t the only professional you will need after winning the lottery. However, an experienced lawyer should have a network of other top-quality professionals such as accountants, investment advisors and even security. All of whom can work with your lawyer to protect the client’s interests.

What to do if you win Mega Millions?

Here are five things to do now if you win big in Powerball or Mega Millions 1 The next drawings are on Tuesday night for the $654 million Mega Millions jackpot, and Wednesday night for Powerball’s $345 million haul. 2 If you win, experts recommend telling as few people as possible and assembling a team of experienced professionals to help handle your windfall. 3 You’ll also need to figure out whether to take an immediate cash lump sum or spread your winnings over three decades.

Why do you sign the back of a winning ticket?

The standard advice from experts is to sign the back of the winning ticket so that if you are separated from it, your signature can help ensure you still get the prize. However, signing it could interfere with your ability to shield your identity from the public, depending on where you bought it.

How long does it take to claim a Mega Millions jackpot?

For both the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots, winners get anywhere from three or six months to a year to claim their prize, depending on where the winning ticket was purchased. Experts recommended taking a deep breath and using as much time as you need to prepare to claim your winnings.

How much tax do you take out of a jackpot?

Jackpot winners get to decide between taking an immediate lump sum or spreading out their winnings over three decades. Either way, the IRS will take 24 percent before the money reaches you.

Can you claim a prize anonymously?

A handful of states states let you claim anonymously, while others require the winner’s name to be announced. Still, others will allow a trust or other legal entity to claim the prize on your behalf, thereby keeping your name out of the public eye.