# Getting a lawyer if you win the lottery **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 29, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186 "2012-03-29T18:21:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/41 "2012-03-30T01:50:12Z")
> [@Sethcrzygy86](#): > > All but five state DE, KS, MD, ND, OH have laws requiring the lottery officials to disclose the name of the winner to anyone who asks. This would be for fraud prevention. Yeah, but the winner doesn’t have to be a human being. It can be SDMB, Inc.\* I suppose I could figure out what type of corporate structure would be the most advantageous to me and my progeny, and file the proper paperwork for me, but I can see that a lawyer would be pretty helpful. \*_Not affiliated with the Straight Dope Message Board, or any parent, affiliate, assignee or successor thereof_. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/42 "2012-03-30T02:43:18Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > You’re certainly right that ordinarily a meeting would occur. And that it would be the expectation of the development officer, at least before he or she heard otherwise, that a meeting would occur. > > However if you were a well-known rich person, as the winner of a half-billion jackpot would be, and you said: “Hey, Human Fund. I want to give you a gift five million dollars. The only thing I’m gonna sign is this here check. No meetings. Take it or leave it.” > > They will still take your check. And they won’t really be exposed to any legal liability, nor will the donor. (Although both will have reporting obligations.) Yes and no. The Human Fund may well tell me to take a hike if they don’t like where the money came from, if the sudden windfall will create problems with other donors, or if they just don’t like the color of the check. The last one is a joke, but the first two aren’t. Some charities have problems accepting money from what they perceive to be immoral sources, such as gambling or alcohol sales. The second comes into play when people believe that the five million or whatever means they won’t have to donate. Yeah, they have the five million in hand right now, but that money is going to run out sooner or later, and if they have no donations coming in, it’s going to hurt them in the long term. Of course, my checkbook would snap shut and I’d find a charity that wanted the money. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/43 "2012-03-30T14:20:17Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > Of course, my checkbook would snap shut and I’d find a charity that wanted the money. You could always donate to the SL&DF Is there any requirement for the press conference? I live in a state that will require my name to be published but I don’t want to make it any easier for the scammers & hanger’s on to have my name & picture. IRL name is just common enough that I can say it’s not me if they don’t know what the winner looked like. \*Spidey Lunch & Dinner Fund With a large enough donation, lunch will be in Tahiti & dinner (a few nights later) in France ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/44 "2012-03-30T15:04:52Z")
Here in Canada there is a requirement to both reveal your name and to allow the lottery corp to publish your picture. One of my way out plans involved the use of theatrical makeup for the press conference and photo session. I figure I could add 30lbs, change my hair and eye colour with just makeup, contacts and some well padded clothes. Unfortunately my name is NOT common so I’m kinda screwed there. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/45 "2012-03-30T15:55:38Z")
[I know the first call I would make.](http://www.feistees.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/brkbd.jpg) mmm ---
**Author:** ![Sethcrzygy86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Sethcrzygy86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sethcrzygy86)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/46 "2012-03-30T16:00:45Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Here in Canada there is a requirement to both reveal your name and to allow the lottery corp to publish your picture. What if you belong to a religion that forbids picture taking? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/47 "2012-03-30T17:00:10Z")
> [@Sethcrzygy86](#): > > What if you belong to a religion that forbids picture taking? In that vein, could you show up in a Burka and claim you’re a fundamentalist Muslim. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/48 "2012-03-30T17:20:58Z")
> [@Sethcrzygy86](#): > > What if you belong to a religion that forbids picture taking? You are completely free to turn down the prize and not have your picture taken. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/49 "2012-03-30T17:38:49Z")
I’ll let you guys all know what steps I take after I win this evening. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/50 "2012-03-30T17:58:44Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > I’ll let you guys all know what steps I take after I win this evening. After getting your official 1% Membership Card of course. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/51 "2012-03-30T18:15:43Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > After getting your official 1% Membership Card of course. 1%? I don’t have time for those wannabes. I mean they’re cute and all but they’re not really the calibur of people I’d care to associate with. No, I’d be taking home around $350 million and probably be earning around 7 million in interest alone. That’s not even the top .1%, that’s approaching the top .01% They don’t give out membership cards to us. Our assistants carry it around for us. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/52 "2012-03-30T23:26:42Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > I’ll let you guys all know what steps I take after I win this evening. Ummm, sorry but you’re reading my lines from the queue card again. :smack: 😃 Since I’ve never seen anything when purchasing a ticket about if I win the state must share my name &/or require a press conference. Could I win, not accept their terms since they weren’t made clear until later (a change in conditions?) & then sue the state lottery commission as John Doe for my winnings anonymously? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/53 "2012-03-30T23:33:38Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Since I’ve never seen anything when purchasing a ticket about if I win the state must share my name &/or require a press conference. Could I win, not accept their terms since they weren’t made clear until later (a change in conditions?) & then sue the state lottery commission as John Doe for my winnings anonymously? Good luck with that. The back of my ticket states “Determination of winners is subject to the rules and regulations of the California Lottery.” I bet your ticket says something incredibly similar for your state. And I bet you can guess what’s covered in those rules and regulations. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/54 "2012-03-30T23:43:40Z")
My press conference would be me saying “no comment” over and over again until they got bored and left. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/55 "2012-03-31T00:13:46Z")
Hell, I’d have a blast at the press conference. “No cults need apply. That includes the RCC, thank you very much.” “Anybody who asks never gets. That’s what I hired these lawyers for. If you ask me for anything, they will make sure you never profit in any fashion from what I do with the money.” “Jennifer Aniston - $3 million to the ASPCA if you go on E! and show us your tits.” Then drop trou, moon the camera, flip off Geraldo and go on my merry way. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/56 "2012-03-31T02:14:35Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Good luck with that. The back of my ticket states “Determination of winners is subject to the rules and regulations of the California Lottery.” I bet your ticket says something incredibly similar for your state. And I bet you can guess what’s covered in those rules and regulations. Granted my lawyering skills consist of a business law class in college, but since you don’t get the ticket until after you’ve paid & it’s been printed, you weren’t able to see those conditions until after the fact; therefore, they’re being ‘imposed’ on you after the transaction is complete. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/57 "2012-03-31T02:27:40Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Granted my lawyering skills consist of a business law class in college, but since you don’t get the ticket until after you’ve paid & it’s been printed, you weren’t able to see those conditions until after the fact; therefore, they’re being ‘imposed’ on you after the transaction is complete. Quite frankly, if they’re cutting me a check for $320,000,000, one of the requirements could be that I walk on stage naked and I’d do it without thinking twice. The rest of y’all would regret it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/58 "2012-03-31T02:44:49Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Granted my lawyering skills consist of a business law class in college, but since you don’t get the ticket until after you’ve paid & it’s been printed, you weren’t able to see those conditions until after the fact; therefore, they’re being ‘imposed’ on you after the transaction is complete. I’ll bet if you look on your state lottery site you’ll find a whole page of rules and conditions, all of which are available for you to consult without having to buy a ticket first. This is what [my state’s page](http://www.molottery.com/whenyouwin/jackpotwin.shtm)looks like. Of course if you’re really, really unhappy, I imagine they’d refund your dollar. No harm, no foul. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/59 "2012-03-31T02:57:47Z")
Also, if you go to a lottery kiosk or your local lottery agent (gas station, grocery store, whatever), the rules and conditions are almost certainly publicly displayed and/or available somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186/60 "2012-03-31T03:40:44Z")
I would think that a lawyer would help with paperwork, and you would need a financial planner as well …More money, more problems,you know and I’d want good help on my side. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-lawyer-if-you-win-the-lottery/617186.md?page=4)