What to Do Before You Claim Your Lottery Winnings

Winning the lottery doesn’t come without its homework. Whether you’ve played the lottery online or bought your ticket from a vendor, make sure you follow all these steps to ensure the claim process goes off without a hitch. From discovering you’ve won the lottery all the way to claiming itself, here’s what you should do BEFORE you claim your prize.

Sign Your Ticket

Signing your ticket is like claiming your ticket. It’s yours. So put a distinguishing mark on it to make sure nobody else claims it as theirs. Signed tickets are still valid for claiming, so don’t worry about scribbling your name on it as a “sign” that no one else can claim that prize but you!

Keep Your Win a Secret

One of the best things you can do before claiming your prize is to keep your windfall to yourself. This involves three important phases:

Stay Off Social Media

Keep your social media engagement to a minimum. Small hints may give way that you’ve won a lot of money, which can attract unwanted attention.

Don’t Tell Anyone

Telling people you’ve won the lottery is a bad idea, since many people who you think you can trust might try to take advantage of your good fortune. Frivolous lawsuits and even criminal elements are some of the reasons why many lottery winners end up broke, so be cautious about who you tell.

Don’t Make Any Big Life-Changing Moves

You can easily give away that you’ve won a lot of money by making sudden life-changing moves. This can include quitting your job, buying a new house, or driving around in a more expensive car. Leave these changes for later and keep a low profile.

Make a List of Things to Do

If you’re wondering how to claim Powerball prizes or other lottery wins, there are a few steps to take. It’s a good idea to make a detailed list of these steps, because your mind will be elated at the prospect of your big win. Try to stay cool, calm, and collected as you gather your thoughts and plan the process of claiming. You might also want to make a list of things you plan to do after you’ve claimed your prize, just to make sure you don’t do anything foolish.

Consider Hiring an Attorney

Sourcing a list of the best lawyers for lottery winners and hiring one can help you make better decisions with your newfound wealth. These professionals are discreet, and experts at helping you plan your finances, while protecting you from unwanted scavengers who wish to take advantage of your windfall.

Research Financial Advisors

A good financial advisor will help you plan your new winnings in a way they will last. Good investment options are essential in spending your winnings wisely, so contact a few good financial advisors and get an idea of what kind of advice they offer for people who have won the lottery.

Check if Your Lottery Game Allows for Anonymity

Many of the lotteries hosted in the US will want to publicize your win, and before you know it your photo will appear in every newspaper across your region. But there are now options to play the lottery and remain anonymous, which is not always a possibility for all lotteries. Check to see if the lottery you won will keep your name a secret if you choose to do so. If they do, it’s a good idea to remain anonymous.

Get Your Documents Together

To finally claim your lottery prize you will likely need to get some documents together. With your signed ticket, you’ll need to provide the lottery office in question with your ID document or driver’s license to verify your identity. You may also need to complete a claims form which can often be downloaded from the lottery office’s website. Get these documents together before you claim your prize and make sure you’re prepared for whatever they may ask you for.

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