You just won a huge lottery jackpot! Now what?

"why would I spend money on some CPA's and whatnot"

It may not be a reason that works for you, but not being a moron is one of the possible reasons.

Raki...common sense is a wonderful tool to utilize, IF you have been exposed to the situation(s). What is common to someone with extreme wealth would not be common to the average person. A CPA is the professional that can give/get you answers about various accounting rules, regulations & concerns. Spending a few dollars, out of hundreds of millions, for sound advice & guidance is reasonable. 

Oh I hear ya on the "money and plan is mine" thing. Unless you know everything about legalities, taxes, investments and prevention of massive loss, a consultation with a professional to ensure your plan is 100% is a great thing. Perhaps the CPA or other professionals can give you options you hadn't thought of that may resonate with your plan... A few bucks spent on an education is always a good thing. Knowledge is power

BUT, in the end, only you know if you have the knowledge and skills to handle that kind of wealth. Best of luck should you win.

I haven't experienced such a huge win as of yet; few small ones here and there and yes, extreme wealth can do a number on a person but then again it doesn't have to; I think that I'm more than able to remain one cool dude regardless. As far as the whole CPA's etc I am someone who knows a lot about the whole financial planning(career choice) so that would save me some serious time and money right there; for everything else if I'm not 100% sure or can't find it myself I know where to find it. And in the end - I totally agree with you - knowledge is and always will be a power.

Too bad I'll never win LOL

I am an attorney but still plan on consulting an attorney who handles trusts 24/7 and a financial planner and a cpa. A sign of intelligence is that you know when to seek expert advice since no one person could be up on every nuance and new rule out there. I want to uncover every option so having common sense and intellectual curiosity will always help you make the right decision.

I have bee reading it a lot here on Lottery Post, the first thing you don't do is not sign that winning Power Ball or Mega Millions ticket is because your going to put your winnings into a trust so no one will know who won all of that jackpot! I know what you are going to do first is call your best friend or at least you think is your best friend! and say to him or her, I won the lottery jackpot! and your friend is going to say, don't go anywhere, I am coming over to your place, and the next thing, your friend is at your home and wants to see that winning ticket and immediately looks at it and glances on the back of your winning ticket and sees you didn't put your signature on that ticket! Watch-out! So, my advice is put your signature on the back of your ticket right after you purchase it,just to be safe!, that's what I do!

"I have bee reading it a lot here on Lottery Post"

Have you read where a LP member actually won a multi-million jackpot?

You should not sign the ticket with your name if you can claim in your state with a trust.  Search the New Hampshire news story on this issue. Make a copy of both sides of the ticket and sign with the name of your trust...it can be anything.

I could have sworn I read somewheres that copying a ticket ruined its barcode or something like that

Hello hello, I'm new here!

One quick question!

...approaching the 6th week of waiting, is there any way we could check a winning claim status??

Yeah, but at least it won't steal your soul, like having your picture taken does.

That's absurd.

kd.... I would check the lottery rules in CA as far as payouts are concerned. If you won $$ from PB or MM it may take longer than a state sponsored game like your Superlotto,Fantasy 5 or a scratch-off ticket.

https://static.www.calottery.com/~/media/Publications/Popular_Downloads/winners-handbook-October%202018-%20English.pdf

I did see it could take "up to 6 weeks" on page 6 in the FAQ.... My suggestion is to wait until week(7) and then head down to your nearest office to inquire......................Good luck

* Take a picture with your phone,do a selfie with the ticket, heck take a video, then go to a CVS and use their equipment to print a nice color photo. Then you have zero concerns about a copy

Don't believe everything you read.

I've taken hundreds of pix of work pool tix for members and the barcodes were fine.

Hi CDanaT!!! Thanks for the reply.

Yep, will just wait for it. Talked to our investigator and he said check will be released today, but I don't know what that means. Lol! Will the 6weeks start from thw claim date or on the date the check is being released. :D

Have a great weekend! :))