More lottery winners using trusts to accept prizes anonymously

Comment #69

OneTrickpony — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 23:08:20 GMT

Thank you CashCrown! That is very good advice for the winner(s) of tonights Powerball or other large sums.

Comment #68

CashCrown — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:15:53 GMT

A few comments / questions about the Power Ball Lotto game - and tonight is gonna be rough on small retail stores. Which brings up the first comment.

The reasoning to reveal the Winner(s) of the jackpot is to show that there IS a real winner(s), not some scam, scheme, etc. Well, even IF winner(s) aren't plastered on every TV channel, newspaper, I would assume that someone or a couple of someone's WON, right? I don't need to see them or their picture holding a monster check. A. It is dangerou... [ More ]

Comment #67

MaximumMillions — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:45:44 GMT

However did I miss all that

Comment #66

BuyLow — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:19:58 GMT

Read #5 US Person can be an entity......

Comment #65

MaximumMillions — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:11:43 GMT

Aaaah

So you can use a lawyer as a proxy (unless that's only for handicapped people

Comment #64

BuyLow — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:57:33 GMT

Look at #2 on the back of the claim form for the FL Lottery also. edit...heck read all of it.....

Comment #63

MaximumMillions — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:45:40 GMT

Hm, you mean the winners gallery?

Because I looked at the claims form and the privacy note, but that one is only about back child support.

Will investigate further.

And yeah,I don't understand why people don't use the means they have.

Edit:

It seems most trust users give a name too:

http://www.flalottery.com/exptkt/pb-jackpotRetailer.pdf

Comment #62

BuyLow — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:38:46 GMT

Look at the PDFs on the the FL Lottery website....winners for FL Lotto and Powerball, several have only a trust and trustee listed, most used their names in the trust (duh) but why do that if not required.

Comment #61

One-Day — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:33:11 GMT

I believe you are describing the blind trust. There are other better trusts.

Comment #60

dk1421 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:20:07 GMT

From the limited research I have done, LLC seems to be the way to go. Of course, if I win, I'd definitely check out the pros and cons of both - using a lawyer, financial planner, and a tax guy.

My understanding (which could be wrong, out of date, etc) is that in a Trust, it is a Board that decides how much to give you every year. If you decide you want a jet, they are the ones to vote on whether or not you are allowed to buy one. Whereupon, an LLC is a limited-liability corporation - you are... [ More ]

Comment #59

One-Day — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:13:18 GMT

In Washington state there is no such luck. You can claim through trust I believe but your name is required and they will provide it to the press if they come snooping around. The court was clear in the last lottery case here. The public has the right to know who the winner is they said (paraphrasing).

Comment #58

TheMeatman2005 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:53:33 GMT

LLC's take about 4-6 weeks to form, whereas a trust can be set up in about 2-3.

If you won, even $2 mil, would you want to wait the extra time before claiming your prize

Comment #57

Redd55 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:36:25 GMT

Doesnt matter whose name is on the big check. The law says the winner's name must be public info. In Calif you do not have to have your photo taken and you do not have to say anything that can then be reported to the press.

Comment #56

MaximumMillions — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:13:11 GMT

Right, but the question also is: Whose name will be written on the oversized check

Comment #55

Redd55 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:37:44 GMT

They cant stop you from forming a trust. However, that will not stop them from releasing your name and home town if state law mandates it.

Comment #54

MaximumMillions — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:55:17 GMT

Are you sure about that?

Don't they also release the personal info of winners?

Like drenick1 says below, why wasn't Gloria advised to do so?

Can you point me to the article/law on that? Not being antagonistic, just curious.

Comment #53

Drenick1 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:06:29 GMT

If that's true I wonder why Gloria M didn't go that route when she won the PB jackpot? Does anyone know if North Carolina allows Trust to claim lottery prizes

Comment #52

BuyLow — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:05:51 GMT

FL allows claiming by trust.

Comment #51

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Comment #50

Funtimz — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 02:36:19 GMT

How did it end for the father/son moron duo...

Comment #49

tg636 — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 03:38:07 GMT

There is nothing to be gained by having your picture taken and your name out there to be a target for beggars, stalkers, thieves, fake lawsuits, sob stories, cyberattacks, etc. You aren't going to get a dime extra for helping the lottery get publicity. Unless you find the publicity a benefit, why do it?

I know someone who won pretty big in the pre-internet age and he told me it took a solid year for the crazies to drop off and target someone else, so I imagine with the entire world informed... [ More ]

Comment #48

KY Floyd — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 19:43:39 GMT

The worst thing? I guess that depends on what kind of things you find unpleasant. Here's one scenario. On the way back from claiming your prize you could be in a car accident that leaves you in a vegetative state. Depending on what you think is worse, your family (or somebody you don't even know) will decide to either let you be fed through a tube for the rest of a long and incredibly boring life, or pull the plug in a month or two. I guess it really wouldn't matter given your sorry state, but s... [ More ]

Comment #47

jjtheprince — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 13:21:14 GMT

Personally I wouldn't see the need for it if I won.

Lotteries are way too easy to win now compared to the past, so winners are very common it's not some big deal anymore.

If I win, yeah take my picture, publish my name, whatever I don't care. I don't think anyone would even notice, care, or even bother me. If they did, I have a place on another continent I could disappear to where I guarantee that I would never be found.

Comment #46

Groppo — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 06:17:20 GMT

OK, something new to me, again. Why would you set up an LLC (if it's the same as a normal Limited Liability Corporation) ?

So, what if I win, and don't set up either a trust or an LLC?

What's the worst thing that could happen to me

Comment #45

Erzulieredeyes — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 05:46:21 GMT

I would just do a LLC for anything under 2million net...most likely claim in my own name for anything under 2million though most lottopost members suggest otherwise. A trust doesn't protect against people with bad intentions to do harm or take your $ away. Esp if your buying flashy cars or living in fancy neighborhoods. Trust fund babies get taken advantage of all the time. It's not fool proof or guaranteed a life of sanity or anonymity just because u put ur money into a trust.

Comment #44

Groppo — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:16:10 GMT

Anything to add to Lucky6025's excellent reply

Comment #43

Groppo — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:14:11 GMT

Luck6025,

Your reply did in fact help educate me on trusts. But still, I would want to do the most economical thing,

while I would plan to make donations, to St. Jude's, Shriners, and Mercy Ship. In such a case of a significant win (significant = 200,000,000), I would bypass the trust and make those personal donations.

The Bible says not to make a donation and blow your horn (ideal situation for a trust).

But, I would have to ward off the rest of those people, as described in your se... [ More ]

Comment #42

KY Floyd — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:46:37 GMT

But never having understood what a Trust is or does, just confuses the whole money thing for me

Sounds like an excellent reason to seek professional help if you were to win, no

Comment #41

lucky6025 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:17:37 GMT

here is what a nominee trust is

Nominee trust is a trust created for the purpose of holding property for beneficiaries whose identities are kept secret. In such trusts, the beneficiaries have the power to direct the trustee's actions regarding the trust property. Nominee trusts also refer to an arrangement for holding title to real property under which one or more persons or corporations, under a written declaration of trust, declare that they will hold any property that they acquire as trust... [ More ]

Comment #40

Groppo — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:43:33 GMT

I meant to add to my previous post that a lot of Lawyers are very good, and take care of these things, professionally, as they're expected.

But never having understood what a Trust is or does, just confuses the whole money thing for me, in the event I win the BIG PRIZE, which I

know will likely NOT happen.

Still, I need to know what the Trust thing is all about.

Comment #39

Groppo — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 01:43:26 GMT

Man, if I ever win,

I'm just going to do whatever the state needs as far as identity.

What's all this paranoia about, other than keeping Lawyers in business?

I mean what the heck is going to happen to me, if I choose not to go by way of a trust? Not one person in this thread has disclosed that. Not even the article did that.

If I'm shot, because I've been found to have zillions of bucks, it better be in the head, where I'm dead for certain and can't get up to testify, because I won't... [ More ]

Comment #38

nennis69 — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 01:23:48 GMT

Kansas does not require you to release your identity if you win

Comment #37

HaveABall — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 00:03:51 GMT

Erzulieredeyes, would that be Gross or Net $2M

Comment #36

Erzulieredeyes — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 18:24:24 GMT

I wouldn't bother setting up a trust to claim my money for anything under $2 million.

Comment #35

lucky6025 — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 12:01:25 GMT

funny how you can use a trust to claim lottery prize without being known in Mass yet can't use tax form 5754 claiming lottery pool to have taxes taken out of winnings for taxes in lump sum right up front. in mass 1 person collect winnings the has to give out names of where money in pool s going so money get taxed twice making the state tons of extra money. alot of states allow lottery pools to use 5754 tax form to claim winnings. makes me wonder if trust was allowed because someone that was not... [ More ]

Comment #34

Coin Toss — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 05:30:49 GMT

Maybe Mass. having an 'unusual' number of wise guys winning jackpots has something to do with it.

Comment #33

travelintrucker — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 04:02:34 GMT

Welcome to LP

Comment #32

travelintrucker — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 03:58:43 GMT

People are smart to protect their anonymity. You don't want relatives that you didn't know existed coming out the woodwork to ask for cash.

Comment #31

Stack47 — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 03:48:19 GMT

Forming a trust doesn't mean the state lottery will issue the check without an investigation and everyone who cashed a prize over $600 knows we almost have to prove we own no back taxes, child support, or whatever state law dictates. Lotteries don't allow prize winners to portion out their before tax prize so a trust is an option. Lotteries are state agencies and it's possible eventually the state will release the winners name because of the Freedom of Information Act.

Comment #30

chris-chase — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 02:54:00 GMT

What about that clown that got busted messing and or rigging the hot lotto? If he went the trust route

he might have had a better shot at getting away with it?

Transparency seems to be the best method for all us non-winners.

Comment #29

Artist77 — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 02:27:40 GMT

It depends on how your state law defines a person. In Virginia, it excludes a trust. DC allows a trust to claim money.

Comment #28

RedStang — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 01:50:50 GMT

I hope Brady McDevitt has a big gun because he might become the next Pain Gain victim by accident.

Comment #27

Teddi — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:52:40 GMT

They didn't view that as a direct cause and effect of the lottery publishing his name. They may have a point because Shakespeare told a lot of people who hadn't known he'd won, that he'd won. Had this been a Camelot lottery, he would have been advised not to do that. Unfortunately, if you hand a person who can't read or write millions of dollars with no guidance, I really don't see anyway that was going to end well. I mean look at that father/son moron duo. Did anyone really think that was going... [ More ]

Comment #26

Teddi — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:37:13 GMT

You know what's weird, used to be celebrities bought properties and conducted business under the shield of corporations, but that's not really working any more. I've seen TMZ and E! out celebrities and the names of their corporations when they buy a home. Then they publish the photos and features of the house.

If a D-list celebrity like 50 Cent has to shell out $9K a month on security, the lottery has some nerve publishing a winner's information when they're not picking up that tab. They want... [ More ]

Comment #25

haymaker — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 18:54:04 GMT

Welcome to LP from a former resident of Westminster, X Bolsa/ Ward.

I'd be wary about buying from other countries, not sure it's legal either.

Comment #24

benir4u — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 18:35:08 GMT

The trust is the best way to go it will give you Safety, Security, and with my family it will be a necessity LOL.

Comment #23

Get paid — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 18:23:57 GMT

In my state u have the option of going public or a trust.

Comment #22

KY Floyd — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 17:59:39 GMT

It would be very difficult to disappear unless you bought your new property in the name of a corporation or something.

Bummer. If only there was some way of disappearing, huh?

if a winner collects with a trust, even the lottery doesn't know their name and can't do the checks to make sure it's a legitimate win.

I'll bet Eddie Tipton thought that, too.

Comment #21

zephbe — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 17:14:40 GMT

After I told my sister I'm not sharing my lottery winnings with anybody who doesn't play the lottery, she buys lottery tickets and gives them to me to check them. SC lets you claim anonymously.

Comment #20

JezzVim — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 17:12:12 GMT

Smart

Comment #19

HoLeeKau — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 17:09:34 GMT

I agree that with the advent of the internet it's way too easy to find and stalk people and this has made it even more important for winners to remain anonymous. It would be very difficult to disappear unless you bought your new property in the name of a corporation or something. Heck, these people find websites even follow renters. I assume they get their info from credit cards or banks or something. So you'd have to get all your mail sent to a drop box, and probably have that as your driver's... [ More ]

Comment #18

zephbe — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 17:07:48 GMT

He/She can enjoy the winnings in peace.

Comment #17

Gleno — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:36:38 GMT

This is great news to read and hope all big winners use this important strategy to protect themselves and their families.

Comment #16

Bleudog101 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 13:46:42 GMT

Sorry your Uncle showed his true colors. I this too. My Sister once said to me and then to my older Brother 'if you win the lottery, you HAVE to give me some'. I don't have to do anything but stay white and die is what I was thinking of telling her. Then there's the jokers @ work and I tell them to their face I win and you'll never hear of or see me again. Lots of unfriending on Facebook

Comment #15

rgse90 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 12:54:15 GMT

I am sorry but with the use of the Internet and the way society thinks they are entitled to what you win I have to agree that this is necessary to protect the winners. Not only protecting them from strangers but also family who think they have a right to what you win because you did not earn it you won it. As sick as this is, it is a reality that has become all too popular and so for these reasons i agree that any way to keep my name out of the public viewing I would use. At one recent Thanksgiv... [ More ]

Comment #14

Bleudog101 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:44:21 GMT

Vaguely I remember the Courier-Journal, Louisville KY newspaper outed a lottery winner who claimed his winnings anonymously. They went through the Freedom of Information Act. Best to my recollection he did not have a Trust. My point is can folks use the FOIA to find out anonymous lottery winners? Personally I don't care, more power to the winners.

Comment #13

Bleudog101 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:26:31 GMT

No harm done? What about that poor transplanted Chicagoan who was a lottery winner and buried in concrete in his Florida driveway? Maybe he was functionally illiterate and that 'woman' took advantage of this fact and took him to the double C's: Cleaners and Cemetery. Awful.

Comment #12

m3347 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 10:33:54 GMT

They tried to pass legislation earlier this year in Michigan to allow lottery winners to remain anonymous but it has stalled out in the senate. Boo Hiss!

HB 4433, Michigan: Gaming; Lottery; Multistate Lottery Games; Allow Winner to remain anonymous. Amends Sec. 25 of 1972 PA 239 (MCL 432.25).

Comment #11

maximumfun — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:23:04 GMT

First and most importantly: welcome Lexuslfa!

as far as claiming lottery wins via trusts in mass - its nice that Mass allows this - and fascinating that RI is almost polar opposite in views re: let everyone know everything as long as its not about ... whomever is in power.

Comment #10

Lexuslfa — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:01:49 GMT

Hi there,

everyone I am new to this website so I figure I hello to everyone : ). If I win a big lottery I would definitely claim as a trusts as well to protect myself and love one. And also I have question that I want to ask that I couldn't find yet on this website. I know that you can buy lottery from other countries but can you claim the prize if and that is a huge if you win the jackpot.

Hopefully the jackpot goes back up to $300+ million dollars soon. And Good luck everyone a... [ More ]

Comment #9

Teddi — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 07:09:54 GMT

Does anyone know if a person can claim via trust in GA? Says nothing on their website about it either way.

Comment #8

R151413 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 06:20:28 GMT

People who donate large sums of money to various entities/charities etc can do so anonymously. So, I think a lottery winner should have the same option.

Comment #7

Teddi — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 05:54:36 GMT

A few months ago, when a poster started a thread about the importance of pushing all the states to allow for claims to be made anonymously, one respondent wrote that there has been no evidence that any lottery winner has been actually put in harms way due to strangers knowing about a lottery winner. That the only people who have suffered have done so at the hands of friends and relatives. They didn't view kidnapping and death threats a big enough factor since it was only threats, not an overt ac... [ More ]

Comment #6

lejardin — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 04:25:48 GMT

Trust is the only way to go. In fact make it a duo.

Comment #5

pantherestates — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 03:53:04 GMT

I think that it is dreadful that a individual who wins the lottery that it is made public record.it is like pulling a sign around ones neck that says ROB ME PLEASE!!! it is wrong and I would definitely set up a trust way before the ticket was claimed...I don't want anybody to know if I win accept the person who sets up my trust and a lawyer.

Comment #4

noise-gate — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 03:41:53 GMT

Every lottery winner should have the option of collecting their winnings through a Trust and not being told that if they do, they will be exposed as a winner nonetheless. It should be up to the winner to make the decision as to whether they want to go before the cameras or not. These State lottery commissions do not interview folks who have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars playing the lottery - why should they want to interview you when you win? It should be your call, your money, your win,... [ More ]

Comment #3

djpowerball1234 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 02:14:53 GMT

If you are actually from Germany, It is understandable not to know the body of laws that we place upon ourselves. Massachusetts have in this matter their own laws. The federal government allows the states to govern their citizens. It is a lot more complicated but in this matter even though it is a lottery that is played almost in all states, but the reporting and governing of the lottery is up to the state

Comment #2

WesternRedDoug — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 02:12:00 GMT

If I recall correctly, Ohio and Delaware are two of a handful of states at one end, and New York and Virginia are at the other end... And in my opinion, all the states in between are different shades of anonymity that an experienced lawyer can try to navigate.

And it always brings up the question, do I sign the ticket and then get a notery to help re-sign the ticket and transfer ownership to an entity or what?

And to quote a presidential candidate from for years ago, corporations are peop... [ More ]

Comment #1

MaximumMillions — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 01:42:21 GMT

I do wonder why this is legal/possible in Massachusetts but not in other state, at least not to this extent.

More lottery winners using trusts to accept prizes anonymously

Lottery Post — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 01:17:24 GMT

A $1 million scratch ticket was recently sold in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, but despite regulations requiring the Massachusetts State Lottery to disclose big winners we may never know who purchased the winning ticket.

In a picture published on the Lottery's website announcing the winning, it is not the winner accepting the prize money. Instead, it is Brady McDevitt, an attorney and the trustee of The Apple Nominee Trust of Milton.

McDevitt was able to accept the check as a trustee on the... [ More ]