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Just in case

So You Won the Powerball. Now What?

The first hour, the first week, and the decisions you cannot take back. Ordered by how fast they expire.

15 min read · page 8 of 11

7

Decide the family answer before anyone asks

The question is coming. Having no answer is what causes the damage.

You will be asked for money. By people with good reasons, by people you love, and by people you have not spoken to in fifteen years.

Almost every winner who has spoken about this afterwards says the same thing: decide the policy in advance, write it down, and apply it identically to everyone. "I've set aside a fixed amount for family and it is being handled by my adviser" is a complete answer. "I'll think about it" is an invitation.

Everybody wanted my money. Everybody had their hand out.
- Evelyn Adams, who won the New Jersey lottery twice and lost all of it

Gifts also have tax consequences for you, not just for them, above annual thresholds. This is a CPA question and not a vibes question.