What Should You Do with Lottery Winnings? Consider Setting Up a Trust

 In Tips, Financial Planning

What Should You Do with Lottery Winnings? Consider Setting Up a Trust

Everyone dreams of being the next Powerball winner or the next Mega Millions winner to hit the jackpot.

As the prizes get bigger and the odds get smaller — about 1 in 292 million for the most recent Powerball — more and more people are catching lottery fever. In the 2019 fiscal year alone, Missouri Lottery sales (including Powerball and Mega Millions) climbed to almost 1.5 billion with total proceeds to the state reaching over 6.5 billion since 1986.

The North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries reported that national lottery ticket sales reached $80 billion in 2016 — more than movies, video games, books, music and sporting events combined.1

But as the old saying goes, “be careful what you wish for.”

After a Massachusetts woman produced the winning ticket for the $758.7 million Powerball, some odd things started happening. Neighbors began seeing news reporters and total strangers hanging around asking questions, and the local police department even had to beef up patrols around the neighborhood.2

So, what would happen if you won the lottery?

Everyone you’ve ever known, and even a few you’ve never met, will most likely start coming out of the woodwork with their charity story.

What would you do? Give the money to your family members and friends? Save the money in case of a sudden windfall?

The Resource Center recommends setting up a trust before claiming your prize. One of the most immediate benefits of utilizing a trust after winning the lottery is to keep your name out of the media. With your name out of the spotlight, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding your 4th-grade classmate hunting you down to pay off his recent medical bills.

We’ll also talk about different types of trusts that might be a good fit for your goals — whether you hit the big jackpot or come away with a smaller prize. Continue reading to find out how a trust can protect your wealth and help you avoid probate in the future.

Potential Advantages of Setting Up a Trust for Lottery Winnings

To begin, you might be asking, “What is a trust?” or “What goes into setting up a trust?” In a basic definition, a trust is an entity you create to protect or manage your wealth according to your wishes. We recommend contacting a financial advisor to help you work through your financial planning or wealth management strategy as you start the trust process.

  • A trust is managed by a ‘trustee.’ The trustee may be yourself or someone you appoint to manage your money and protect your privacy.3
  • You name the beneficiaries of the trust. Beneficiaries may include family members, charitable organizations, and/or yourself.3
  • You may set up individual trusts for family members and/or charitable organizations.3

If you already have a trust, your lottery winnings can go there. If you are setting up a trust for the first time, or wondering if you should set up a trust before claiming your lottery winnings, there are many factors and advantages to consider:3

  • Protect your anonymity. Most states require lottery winners to go public. If winnings go into a trust, only the name of the trust becomes public.
  • Ensure fairness to multiple winners. All members of a lottery pool must receive their fair share of the prize. An irrevocable trust can accomplish this.
  • Payment or lump sum. How you choose to receive your winnings — all at once (a lump sum) or spread out over several years (in payments) — impacts your tax obligation. If you happen to die before receiving all your payments, a trust can help manage tax bills you leave behind.
  • Are you married? If you win the lottery, a trust can be a good option for addressing marital property implications. Consider a prenuptial agreement if you are planning to get married after winning.

Remember, one of the first things to do if you win the lottery is to immediately sign and secure your ticket. Next, contact a reputable financial planner as quickly as possible to discuss all of your options before doing anything with your lottery winnings – including setting up a trust.If you would like more information on wealth management and estate planning, RSVP to the Resource Center’s “Estate Planning Basics” meeting (offered monthly).

Types of Trusts for Lottery Winnings

When you meet with your financial planner, he or she will discuss different types of trusts with you.

Two types of trusts that are commonly used to protect lottery winnings are blind trusts and irrevocable trusts.3

  • Blind trust. If you donate your winning ticket to a blind trust before claiming your prize, the trust is named as the winner and keeps your name out of the media spotlight. In a blind trust, you will appoint a trusted financial expert to manage your assets and invest your funds with your input. This frees you from having to be involved in the day-to-day management of your lottery winnings.
  • Irrevocable trust. If you are part of a winning lottery pool, an irrevocable trust guarantees that everyone gets their share of the winnings at the beginning of the trust process without relying on someone else’s honesty later on. An irrevocable trust may not be revoked or altered once it is established and helps prevent future disputes among winning participants. In addition, it can help you avoid the unnecessary tax consequences of transferring lottery winnings to multiple parties. A revocable trust, on the other hand, allows the original grantor of the trust to make changes or terminations at any time.

Trusts and Avoiding Probate Court

Probate is a legal process in which a court decides what happens to your assets — including lottery winnings — after you pass away. Even if you have already established a last will and testament, the court determines the value of your property and makes arrangements for the payment of outstanding debts and the distribution of remaining assets to your survivors.

Probate can be a complex, lengthy, and expensive process for your survivors.As much as possible, The Resource Center recommends taking the steps necessary to avoid the need for your family to enter into probate after you pass away.

To avoid probate, you may transfer legal ownership of your assets to an irrevocable trust.4 That way, you — and not the courts — decide what happens to your assets.

The Resource Center has partnered with Worsham Law Firm to host the monthly Estate Planning Basics meeting. If you’d like to learn more about setting up trusts, managing your assets, and other general financial planning tips, please click here for more information or to RSVP.

 

More Questions About Wealth Management or Estate Planning?

Do you have additional questions about what to do after winning the lottery? Contact us at The Resource Center. We’ll answer your questions and provide helpful information to guide your decision-making process.

Sources

  1. Horton, Alex. Washington Post. August 22, 2017. How Powerball manipulated the odds to make another massive jackpot. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/08/22/how-powerball-manipulated-the-odds-to-make-another-massive-jackpot/?utm_term=.93c9c345cada. Accessed August 23, 2017.
  2. Associated Press. Washington Post. August 25, 2017. The latest: Cops boost patrols around lottery winner’s home. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-latest-cops-boost-patrols-around-lottery-winners-home/2017/08/25/1c800842-89b5-11e7-96a7-d178cf3524eb_story.html?utm_term=.71571d7d35c6. Accessed August 23, 2017.
  3. Findlaw. 2017. Lottery Trusts. http://estate.findlaw.com/trusts/lottery-trusts.html. Accessed August 23, 2017.
  4. HG Legal Resources. 2017. Can I Avoid Probate? https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=35958. Accessed August 23, 2017.

We are not permitted to offer, and no statement contained herein shall constitute, tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions about their personal situation. We are able to provide you with not guidance or advice related to federal benefits. Our firm is not affiliated with the U.S. any governmental agency. Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through LLC (AEWM). AEWM and The Resource Center are not affiliated companies. AW12175556

Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM). AEWM and The Resource Center are not affiliated companies. Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult with a qualified professional for guidance before making any purchasing decisions. The Resource Center has a strategic partnership with tax professionals and attorneys who can provide tax and/or legal advice. This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as the basis for financial decisions. 00515705

Recent Posts

Start typing and press Enter to search

To Do List To Plan RetirementThe Text Adulting by Purchasing Insurance