Curious Dreaming : So you win a large jackpot. However, they recommend that you don't make any big decisions for the first 6 months. You don't plan on living in current house. Where do you live?
I know many people would go on a trip for awhile after claiming. Going on a long trip or a in town hotel isn't a great idea with 2 cats (they don't like change) and 2 dogs (one is blind and sometimes isn't housebroken; the other has energy off the hook). Plus i have parents that need help. My cats don't like boarding and i would worry about them when i first claim the lottery. Do you lease a house? Do you buy an intermediate house? Do you buy expensive house possibly that needs upgrades? Do you try to lease the house you want to buy a couple weeks before you claim? Do banks give you loans based on your lottery ticket? I would not have it in my own name but a corporation that was different that the claiming trusts. For the first couple years i would want to live near but not with my parents in a house with a couple acres that i can keep busy with decorating and gardening. Eventually by at least 500 acres in mid Missouri that has a house or will build on.
Plan is to possibly wait 6 months to sell house and pay someone to upkeep. I live in fast selling area so would talk to real estate agent whether i should sell as is since people buy the houses in neighborhood and update and add on or go ahead and spend money updating.
Also Whatever money that is designated for properties. I would divide in half or one third and that is how much i can spend buying house. Rest of property money would go for taxes, upkeep, insurance, possible staff.