Congratulations to the winner!!!  Enjoy it!!! 

Finally! That attorney Jason Kurland has a reputation for being savvy. Took that attorney for the Robinson’s to task for showing up on GMA & exposing the winners on national television. Called it irresponsible and  . On a side note: l was correct, the winner didn’t CARE about the interest they lost on the millions. Now, to parlay that forethought into choosing the winning PB numbers. 

well part of the mystery is at long last over, may s/he/they be that happy and put the money to good use

Only thing I'd like to know is how old the individual is just for curiosity.

one can only wonder and no doubt some grandkids will be splurging soon enough on silly things they don't need

Congrats to the winner.I am happy they claimed.It would be crazy that money would go back to the States and the store owner not getting paid his $50k.

I hope the winner stays anonymous but when that money hits the bank ,watch out for chatty tellers.

Best Wishes to the Anonymous Winner!

Congrats to the lucky winner/winners.

$877.8 million American dollars!  I agree that hiring Jason Kurland was the correct way. About, chatty tellers, Jason Kurland may help the winner with this problem too.    Proceed past the teller to a bank manager. Maybe even to the bank President!

 Power Ball is our next target LP Members

Congratulations!!!  I like it that the attorney is not returning calls. There will be a press conference with the attorney AFTER the money is paid. That counsel is in control.  I really wonder if the winner had children and had to buy another home out of the area and sell the old home. So the children would be settled in a new school once the jp was claimed. This would have kept a family off the nosy body radar.

  I’m really happy this was claimed.  I would have been more bummed out that the money wasn’t claimed than I was that I didn’t win.

Congratulations! I just hope the winner(s) can see the opportunity they have and see how many jobs that they can create, industries they can support and businesses they can create while still buying that $15mil mansion, vacations around the world (be careful where you go....) the $2500 dresses and jewelry/watches/cars you buy. I hope they don't spend it willy-nilly. Waste it on $500.000 sportscars you can never really drive. Or heavens forbid going to Los Vegas to gamble. 

Whewwwwwww, that was getting a little close, time wise... Congrats to that individual and it was very savy of her/him to have Atty Kurland as a legal representative/spokesman. 

Glad I was wrong thinking the ticket was lost. I hope they have wonderful life and bring much joy into others.

The only question unanswered is "why did they wait so long?".

If the banking issue needs a teller, you can probably handle it online.  If you win a huge jackpot, you will have money in multiple banks and institutions so a teller will probably have no clue you are a jp winner.

I agree that anyone that hits should stay anonymous.  What business is it for anyone on how that winner does what they want to do with it.    As far as non profits,  if I were the winner I would expose Washington DC for all the non profit frauds that they all are.   I don't care if they try and discover me at all. 

The store owners that do sell a winning ticket, I was told by this pharmacist where I get my medications if any done,  he doesn't really get anything from it.  Isn't there something in the contract with the states and business owners?   

Remaining anonymous is one thing.  Starting rumors is another one. 

Also,  someone came up to me before the superbowl and bet someone $500 which two teams would be in the superbowl.  I never asked him for a dime. 

Some of you need to ask a reliable lawyer and accountant because from what I read on here some members are careless and make a mistake.

I think that most people would figure out where they want to live and kind of have that in place.  A friend lives abt an hour from Simpsonville and heard it was a guy in his early twenties.

If I am ever that lucky, business as usual for family until I collect.

Think it is wonderful that they were able to wait over 4 months.  If he / she had quit minths ago as rumored, someone wasn’t pressed.

Good question, in short Stack et al, they want to by time to think, manipulate and message the info for unseen purposes.

~EK

If that person is in their early 20s,   think of a plan for early retirement,  or do what I do.   Open up an amazon store,  start thrifting and get some people to work for that person.   I know plenty of ideas to do.

The SC winner got $605,000,000 after fed / state taxes.

How would you have used this amount of moolah?

People are spreading rumors.  Someone else posted that they "heard" it was a group. If the winner was that savvy to hire an excellent attorney and get their affairs in order, I doubt any of the rumors are true. If I won anonymously, I would help spread those false rumors. Lol

I heard it was someone here on Lottery Post.

In all seriousness this is probably one of the smartest winners we have seen in a while.  Gets a good lawyer to run interference, keeps their mouth shut, and (hopefully) has assembled a good money management team.  The only thing I might do differently is claim it sooner.  I just could not stand the stress of having the ticket burning a hole in my pocket for so long.

Lol.  It was JJ. He is so used to winning jackpots, he could hardly bear to claim another jp win.

I really think the delay was due to children (quietly moving and changing schools) or career obligations.

Won by pulling a reversed Gloria!

"The SC winner got $605,000,000 after fed / state taxes."

Jackpot Cash Value $877.8 million . . so should clear around $491.5 million after 37% federal and 7% SC taxes.

The news item states - "The winner of the largest jackpot in U.S. history has opted for up-front cash — a one-time payment of $877,784,124, the commission announced shortly before 5 p.m. Monday."

The jackpot was the second largest jackpot in US history.

That's good! spread your own rumors and sit back and relax. lol

The winner did their homework. Jason Kurland is the guy to hire. Wow, that’s some fortune.

That sounds like something you'd see in gymnastics, pro wrestling or a porno film.

Congratulations to the winner(s). I hope the jackpot brings them much joy. 

I am thrilled to hear the winnings was claimed and it wasn't a lost ticket issue.

Congrats to the winner having over $400 million in the bank would be sweet.-weshar75

Good old  Jason Kurland shows up again!  This was the lawyer behind the infamous Connecticut jackpot mystery incident. A little lottery history [for fun] if anyone wants to read it:

"Asset managers accused of fronting for real $254M Powerball winner"

So a single dollar ticket gets claimed and split by 3 wealth managers. They acted like they "won" it.  Ha,  The stupid Media fall for it on press day.

However, the press was not fooled for long. I sit back and laughed my ass off at the whole thing as people tried to understand what happened.

What happened was Connecticut lottery [like most states] allow a legal entity to claim. A Trust in this event.  So a trust claims it. The rules are the lottery gets a copy of the trust document and knows who the "real" winners are. Otherwise known as "the trust beneficiary"

The trust beneficiary is told to media and media can make public records request later to get the same trust document. This is how they get you in a none anonymous state.

In this case thru the "trust beneficiary " was another trust. That's right folks.  IT'S Alice in Wonderland up in here and we're going down the Rabbit Hole of being anonymous in a non "anonymous" state. 

The thing is the lottery does not get the 2nd trust document. They only get to know who controls and is the public face of 2nd trust. The 3 wealth managers  are who controlled the 2nd trust for their client [the real winner.] They were managing the wealth for him.  Whoever the real beneficiary behind the 2nd trust Is off limits to the lottery as they only have a legal right to first trust document. The 3 wealth managers acting as a go-between the real winner and public. The fact they tried to trick the media at press event what made me crack up. 

Lucky this 1.5b jackpot winner does not have to play legal tricks. The state respects his right to remain anonymous from the get-go. Thru am sure that smart lawyer has her/him/them protected and set up like no one's business.

Anonymous???

Now how will I be able to tell my long lost brother, sister, mother, father, third cousin, long forgotten childhood friend....

How much I love and miss them?

:)

Congrats to the winner(s).

Why, why? We may never know Stack, but at least we know the ticket was not left on the dash of a car, or ended up in the landfill.

On the question of why,why did Samson set 300 foxes with lighted torches into the standing grain of the Philistines?

Music- l think Jason is the attorney to go for in the event of one winning a multi million dollar jackpot.l wonder whether he is up to the challenge of shielding one from the inquisitive California lottery and their infernal rules of " transparency" and putting your name out there.Perhaps he has a bag of tricks, which comes at a price.l would love to test his mettle, pit him up against the dark forces of the CA lottery.

Interesting article on MSN

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/mega-millions-winner-of-dollar15b-jackpot-comes-forward-why-they-chose-the-lump-sum/ar-BBUnm9F?li=BBnb7Kz

For all the cash vs annuity discussions that are on LP, has this ever came up?

Annuity, cons;

Cons: But there are risks. It’s possible that the entity making the payout over the 30 years could run out of money

Coin toss it's called socialism. It does not help both parties [ pretty much all of Congress] spends money like drunken sailors. 

But real reason not to take annuity is just pure money you would earn from it.  If your goal to get as much money as possible and do it safe..... I could do it with my eyes closed for 30 years.

Take all that money into just 2 companies.

The most profitable beverage company in the world:Coca-Cola

And the most profitable food company in the world: Nestlé

We're talking market caps of 194 billion and 278 billion. Both pay their shareholders fat dividend checks from billions in sales every year.

People got to drink and eat. IN 30 years time these companies would have got a lottery winner even more mega-rich then 1.5b annuity. Just reinvest the millions coming in ever year. It does not matter if the stock market was to crash and burn over the next 30 years. You don't have to sell your stock in these 2 rocks sold companies and sure have millions coming in every year to do with as you wish no matter what happens in the markets. 

This is just my funny way of saying  Coco-cola and Nestle is a much smarter and safer to boot option then the united states govt. I hope you get my point here. People say take the "safe" bet. The stock market with the right companies is the safest option. 

All those people saying that the ticket was lost....I mean were you serious. Who is going to misplace a 1.5 Billion dollar ticket. Post after post about it being lost and all for nothing. Congrats winners!!

I'm sure there are many people that know who they are, the reality is people just don't care anymore. There are so many big jackpot winners out there now it's old news. Also you're not getting any of the money anyway so it's not like you have anything invested in finding out who they are. My one buddy won the Mega Millions a few years ago, moved out of town because he thought he would be harassed, a few years later he did that show that feature lottery winners and then shortly after that he moved back here and bought a house that's right on the road, no gates, no nothing, you can walk 20 feet up to his front door and no one bothers him. Unless the winner(s) is a hermit and has no friends, no family nothing, someone knows they won and the odds that everyone will keep their mouth shut is virtually impossible, not to mention the store owners and clerks know who they are. If you won a $100 million today and called the news station and told them you wanted them to interview you, you probably wouldn't even get a callback. LOL

Let's say you had an uncle that worked at XYZ company in South Carolina making $60,000 a year and then they quit their job and a few months later they buy a $10 million house and millions in cars and boats, how many seconds would it take you to figure out they were the winner? Like my grandfather said, you can hide and buy land, but you can't hide and work it.

What a fun story!  They waited - why?  for their own reasons.  They hired an attorney who has  handled big lottery wins before, so the lawyer knows the ropes already.  And now they have their money. 

Best of luck to the winners.  I hope they have a safe and uneventful life with their riches!

I am confused as to how all these people/entities claiming Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots over two months AFTER the drawing are still legally allowed to receive the cash option!??

Congratulations to the winner. Now on to Wednesday's powerball jackpot!!!!

Congrats to the anonymous winner(s).

Thank you for finally coming forward to claim your prize and put all of our suspicions of a lost, stolen, dog eaten, dash board, sun visor,blown out the window, dead upon discovering you won thoughts to rest.

Like most here, I would also like to know why you waited so long after Jan 2, 2019 to claim. 

Im thinking all lottos are rigged! These winners all ways have some kind of story line. Are a big wait and see. I know if i won i would have been there the next day to start the process to get my money. Its hard to think someone held on to a big winner like this for so long! I hope SC lotto knows who purchased the ticket from a cam, if the store had one. And they verify everything. Sounds like tipton and crew are still getting paid lol. And just the odds you would think when thes3 lottos got up that high with as many tickets bought that every blue moon that they would be over 5 winners for the top prize and ive never seen that. So i know they rig it. And dont give me its ball drawings cant be rigged stuff. Cause it would be easy to fix also.

excellent question

Well, I think all human beings have a "story line." The winner is represented by a well known attorney with a great reputation. Collecting your money the next day would have been very foolish.  If you think lotteries are rigged, why do you play? I don't see any hint of fraud here.

For those players who wish to use this attorney should they win a jp, remember attorneys can only practice law in states they were admitted to practice law (bar exam or waived in). I would have this attorney lead a team of experts if he did not practice on my state, but another attorney would have to create the trust.

Selecting the cash option and time limits varies per state.

Perfectly legal to create a second trust. I have posted several times that I would do the same thing. It is not a "legal trick." This demonstrates the need for legal expertise in this area.

Awesome!  So happy for them, glad New York or New Jersey didn’t get that big hitter!

Too get their ducks in a row. I would have done the same thing.

You have to look outside the box your stuck in. Wake up and look at how many times have they been over lets say just 4 winning tickets? I know the odds are high! But if its done legit. You would see more tickets winning the jackpot ever so often. So yes its rigged even if you dont want to think it is. We all play looking for the big win. But i dont play the big games . reason you never win anything on it. What do you get most time the powerball plus 1 or 2 numbers at the most. So you all ways lose money! Now i still play the cash 3 and 4 in my state . But i know its rigged also. I call and tell them or send emails once a week about the rng repeating numbers! Just like today in Tenn we got 180 again its hit 4 times in 20 days lol!

It doesn't matter what you believe, I just don't like people who do conspiracy theories and claim it as "truth". When I heard "Illuminati" I had to click back to the LP thread. First check the facts instead of assumptions.

However, I have to admit some truth to those numbers which gives some truth on the conspiracy. I was going to pick the numbers that were drawn since they were lucky but a lot of stress and procrastination, made me nervous. I made a fool out of myself by picking the same Mega Ball.

Rigged huh?  Good thing you didn't bother to mention who runs the lotteries in Iowa and Georgia...they might sue you for defamation and spreading false information.  Think about those two states and you'll know which ones run which of the two major lotteries in this country.

They control the news,  sports,  religion,  the president.  Hey,  I ain't stopping no one on here for doing what they feel like it. 

Yes, I do play, however, I wouldn't want any huge jackpots at all.  If ever $1 million, you know exactly how much you're getting out of it.  It honestly makes no sense at all.   If you go to your accountant,  ask them what you exactly get out of it and then ask your self is it worth it or not. 

I have an amazon store that is getting better,  I have two websites and I am getting better at sales.   Just the other night I bought like 16 books,  $22.00 for all.  Now I am going to resell them and even made a deal with a friend down south to sell pine cones.  Yes, I said that right.  I am doing something to get out of food industry.  Worst part in our century are robots.  Scary it is.

You said you're nervous.  Then find someone you trust,  make a document in a word doc or something and then split with that person.  They don't have to know it's you.

They can do this because the IRS ruling is vague and open to interpretation.  The ruling says that the winner has to elect the cash value within 60 days of being entitled to the prize.  When do you become entitled?  Some say it is at the time of the drawing while others claim it is after you have gone through the security process and the ticket is validated by the lottery.  The states have different interpretations thus different rules.  I believe that so far the IRS hasn’t pressed the issue with the states.

I was getting worried that the money was going to go back to the state lotteries.  Glad that the money will be with its rightful owner.

" Like most here,  l would also like to know why you waited so long."  Frankly, one may never know, and l think everyone has a right to keep somethings to themselves. Like hearing a grown up adult say, " l want to experience sex for the first time when l get married." Do we dare ask why?

Yea its called figure of speech bro... When i say "legal tricks" that's like me saying  "racking my brain," or "light as a feather"

I don't mean hitting my head on a  wall, causing brain damage or that whatever am talking about has the same total weight as a feather.

Likewise when I say legal tricks i 100% know it's legal and everything on the up and up. If it was not legal the state lottery would have never paid out. What they did was smart. Only none smart thing the 3 wealth managers did was open their mouth and media ran with it.

Likewise, i agree with you this is an area for legal expertise. If I ever win the lottery am going to a large law firm and telling them what i want to be done so they can have their trust/estate/whatever people do the work right.

Lord knows you don't go to some divorce lawyer from Tennessee and claim a large jackpot. Next thing you know he tells you it's not possible to claim it anonymously then puts you on his favorite morning TV show in new york and you let the whole world see your winning ticket in your hand [that's right you don't even bother to go lottery office to give them the ticket first! Also, take the family dog to new york while you're at it! YOLO!

The fact the above really happened is THE REASON you go find real expertise before claiming. 

I am not your bro. And the common vernacular for the term "legal tricks" means it is barely legal or of questionable legality. And trust me, I know legal slang and legal terminology. Perhaps you meant to use the term "tricks of the trade?"

INTERESTING! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I don't think a lot use understand the link I posted up.

I played a pick 4 lottery number straight and boxed for 2 dollars and the the number was 4919 which was close to my number 2491 why is it that even though I played the number with a fire ball I did not win, when the fire bal was 4 ?

correction to the previous posting my number was 9192 and the fireball was 4,

Congrat to the Winner !!!! 

Getting to wonder if there were a winner . 

Yes that's the "famous attorney " on the Internet .

Uncle Sam will be happy !

Remaining anonymous is one thing. I think that most people would figure it out who they are. A friend a family member an from a small town Simpsonville and spending a guy in his early twenties.

How does this work for States , that's Not Anonymous or does it ???? 

I've heard of a  lady who won the lottery for $$$$ ( in this area )  ,

anyways she moved in a bigger town,  living in a bigger home . 

Few years later , she wasn't happy , moved back to her original town ,

lives in a small home, and she living happily ever after !!   

it would be better for everyone if it did go back to the states. what good is it to have only one person hoarding it unless it is you. schools would benefit, bridges and roads repaired although state officials would waste the majority of it.

In theory it's much better for them to let you take the cash option, they payout much less money, don't have to deal with it for 30 years and they get their tax money right away also. It's kind of a no-brainer for everyone involved. 

"They can do this because the IRS ruling is vague and open to interpretation. The ruling says that the winner has to elect the cash value within 60 days of being entitled to the prize. When do you become entitled?"

For starters, cash is the default option for IRS tax treatment, because the IRS would rather have the taxes on the entire lump sum now rather than wait to collect it in modest installments over 30 years. If you waited 61 days and then decided you'd like the annuity you'd have a major problem because the IRS will be looking for taxes on the entire lump sum. Some states mandate the annuity if you fail to decide within 60 days, but I'm pretty sure that all of the states agree that the clock starts when you make your claim.

Cash or annuity, I'd say that the rules on IRS tax treatment have been pretty clear on when the clock starts ticking since at least 2000 when a winner's right to the prize was part of the reasoning in a ruling by the 6th circuit of the US court of appeals. To be a winner, and therefore entitled to the prize, the lottery has to complete the validation process and determine that you are in fact the winner. They obviously can't complete the validation process until you've submitted a claim, and if you're not a winner there's no choice to be made.

I guess the ticket didn't go the same place my socks go when I do laundry after all...

Bet the SC legislators are breathing a sigh of relief, maybe even busted out champagne. Wasn't it $60-some mil in taxes that wouldn't come in if the win went unclaimed? $60 mil can pay for a whole lot of pork.

I always thought the term "putting their ducks in a row" applied to people planning on retiring, making a large purchase, having a baby; that sort of stuff. But when someone gets $1/2 billion in cash, "their ducks" should be the last thing they "need in a row". Even if they were $1 million in debt, the interest they lost by waiting would have paid that off. 

Just a guess, there are several small shops in the Simpsonville area and maybe the winner was in a pool, but bought personal tickets for themselves. Those ducks better be in a row or the winner my be splitting their winnings several ways.

There are several states that force you to choose at the time you buy your ticket.  Texas, for instance, says on their lottery FAQ:

When do I choose Cash Value Option or Annual Payments? Can I choose when I come to collect the jackpot?

Currently, the choice must be made at the time the ticket is purchased, and cannot be changed. This is a Texas Lottery policy established in response to IRS rulings that impact the way the jackpot is taxed.

So not every state agrees that the clock starts ticking when they validate the prize. Each state made their own determination on how to interpret what the IRS ruling means when the vaguely worded ruling was enacted and then made their own rules.

In Arizona, the "trust paying another trust" trick won't work. The Lottery here won't make the payment until they know the actual person(s) who will receive the money - and once they know that, it becomes a matter of public record after 90 days.

Potential legislation . . Arizona HB2552.

I agree!

I feel like that's the next law/requirement that will be challenged and beaten in court, just like how that Powerball winner sued and won the right to stay anonymous. There's no reason why you should have to pick the cash or annuity option at the time of buying your ticket, you should have the right to be able to consult with attorneys and financial planners as to what is the best option for you and they are taking that right away from you at the time of purchase. 

A very good point.

Bleudog101,

You have me curious about your definition of 'anonymous'.

//////////////////////////

mikeintexas,

Your 'reversed Gloria 'comments made me think of the old joke about the wrestlers and the 'pretzel hold'.

////////////////////////////

joshuacloak,

Agree totally on the socialism aspect. When I read the article I was thinking of a 'socialist' like Bernie got elected (the socialist with three huge houses) there'd probably be no point in  winning a jackpot.

Thank you to all the members who kindly and thoroughly explained about the ability to collect jackpot as lump-sum cash, instead of being forced to collect as annuity; if after 2 months of the drawing date claim was filed.

I totally agree and I hope you’re right that it is challenged and beaten.  I know Texas isn’t the only state out there that does this to their players.

The States that's NOT Anonymous , should be Anonymous . 

Why does these states  ( California , New Jersey , New York , Florida and South Carolina 

just to say a few ) , have more winners ? 

Would somebody like to explain it .  Thank you   

It was already explained to you in your other post. If you don't like the explanations that were given, you can come up with your own theory and share it with the rest of the class. For some reason, you are reluctant to tell us what you think the real reason is.

I regret a lot for not playing this numbers, I was in 7/11 store and it was too much crowded and instead of playing birth dates of my family members I just bought a quick pick and I regret every day.

i would have all of those numbers . Starting from 5 to ending 5

IDK if it is true, but several of us have commented over the years one commonality.  All those listed are coastal states.  I might add four of your list are densely populated.  Maybe more players=more winners?

As for the Powerball full jackpots, Indiana still ranks highest, so that blows the aforementioned theory out the window.  Still have tickets from them until EOM.  Sorry shouldn't use Military acronyms, you know they stick with you.  EOM=End of Month.  Go US Army!!

This supports my theory that most winning tickets are sold at "stop & robs" with names like "Ciggies & Beer" or "High-Fortified Wines R Us."

Is jj channeling through you?

One of the articles about the MM payoff in SC stated that it was the first time Mega Millions had been hit for a jackpot in SC in eight years.

After 7 pages talking about the record jackpot winner coming from Simpsonville, am it the only one that noticed you live in Simpsonville?

Shoulda woulda coulda, but didn't!

Stack47, "Getting your ducks all lined up in a row" means what most lotteries recommend now. Get your financial, legal, meaning Certified Financial Planner, a Trust, and Estate Attorney. Maybe even an experienced publicity agent. You will also need a CPA sometime as well.

 All this will take time so keep your winning ticket in a safe place.

 Good Luck!

Here's to you man I wonder if all the big lottery winners in the past even thought of one these very vital things before they lost it all. And here's to the winner(s)

With a prize this large, having an attorney is very important, but no attorney can change lottery rules, regulations, and/or state laws. At best they can convince a court why a jackpot winner should be granted anonymity, but they can't change the 24% Fed tax deduction or whatever state taxes are deducted. If we're talking about winning under $1 million, it's possible circumstances could delay validating the ticket for 4 months to get their financial ducks in a row, but we're talking winning $1/2 billion. 

Most large and reputable law firms have experts in almost everything you mentioned and maybe a publicity agent too. Based on this story, the winner did hire an large firm and and one very experienced with large lottery jackpot winners. Don't you think it odd the firm didn't simply notify the SC lottery they were representing the jackpot winner if for nothing else to to stop speculation and prevent anyone from viewing the store's video tape? 

Two questions: why would a jackpot winner claiming anonymously need a publicity agent? And what type of financial ducks does the average lottery player have that winning over $1/2 billion won't cure?

IMO, hiring experts for legal and financial planning shouldn't take over 4 months and no state lottery to my knowledge recommendd waiting less than two months before the ticket expires to have it validated. This winners circumstances were much more complicated than the average winner, but we'll never know them.

"I always thought the term "putting their ducks in a row" applied to people planning on retiring"

Getting your ducks in a row simply refers to getting things squared away. It could be something very complicated or it could be figuring out which cars a few of you will use to go out to dinner. That none of us know the specific reasons that the winner waited 4 months means nothing. We've got no idea who they are or anything about their life, except that many things changed in a major way last October. I've got no idea why you would think that winning a huge amount would mean that you can get things done faster than with a modest prize. If you win a million or two it's lot less likely that you'll need/want to move or make other major changes.  With a large win things are going to be more complicated.

"There are several states that force you to choose at the time you buy your ticket.    So not every state agrees that the clock starts ticking when they validate the prize."

The states that still make you choose when you buy are obviously ignoring the 60 day window completely, so they're not taking a stand either way on when the 60 day period starts. States that don't require the decision at the time of purchase would certainly be free to require that the decision be made within 60 days of the drawing, but AFAIK none of them do. That means that they're allowing winners 60 days from the date they file the claim, and that appears to be how the IRS interprets the rule.

What I am talking about , Why several states mostly win , than all the other states. 

I know of one winner, who won many years ago.

Where he lives isn't considered a big town less than 4,000 population.

I will give him Credit , he did what was right and he went to a Popular 

Wealth Management Company.

Just a down to earth fella , who's very humble .

"Getting your ducks in a row simply refers to getting things squared away."

Apparently you missed where I mentioned this winner will get over $1/2 billion after taxes meaning it looks like their financial ducks were not so simple. 

"I've got no idea why you would think that winning a huge amount would mean that you can get things done faster than with a modest prize."

Based on your definition and if they really waited while getting their ducks in a row, they should have claimed no later than January 2. Do you think this anonymous winner will hire a publicist like another poster suggested?

Congratulations to the winner/s ......

I wouldn't be surprised if the winner(s) are coached by their legal teams on what ''story lines'' to use. There isn't anything wrong with this of course but I'd like to know the real stories by some of the winners.

I would agree with that strategy. I would claim that I picked by numbers based of family birthdays and ages which I never do. You want your client's story to blend in vs saying they have been working on a system to pick numbers. You do not want to open the door to more speculation.

"Based on your definition and if they really waited while getting their ducks in a row, they should have claimed no later than January 2."

I didn't say anything that should have made you think they should have claimed by 1/2, and specifically said that winning more can be expected to require more planning than winning a fairly modest amount. Starting to earn investment income means that would have been an ideal date if they had everything in order, but (as I've already said) none of us have any idea what their situation is. I'd say the rational conclusion is that they felt they didn't have everything taken care of until late February.

"Do you think this anonymous winner will hire a publicist like another poster suggested?"

Sounds like their attorney is already offering some information to the public, though I don't know if I'd say they're acting as a publicist.  People are obviously going to be curious, so I think there's a certain sense in making some basic (and carefully vetted) information available, but I definitely don't see any sense to actively publicizing the information. Just give the lottery a prepared statement and let them release it as they see fit.

As near as I can figure letting the public know the lawyer's identity is just a bit of self-promotion that's in the interest of the lawyer rather than his client. Its not as bad as the guy who sent his clients to NY to be on TV before they even submitted their claim to the lottery, but I can't see any sensible reason for it. In states where anonymity requires using a trust or LLC somebody's name will be available to the public. SC allows winners to just be anonymous, so nobody's name is required to be released to the public.

I am not trying to sound like a conspiracist.   Most of you believe everything you hear or two.  If I were to hit something huge,  it would be up to $1 million.  Look at all the taxes that the govt takes out.  Why don't someone call that location up and ask them if this is true or everyone is being played around with.

"I'd say the rational conclusion is that they felt they didn't have everything taken care of until late February."

She waited because "I was searching for someone who could assist her in making decisions on handling her winnings" and "wanted to make sure I make all of the right decisions, which is why I have taken this amount of time to collect my prize". I suppose someone can make the stretch that searching for assistance is close to "getting their ducks in a row", if the ducks were $877,784,124.

And not exactly how most people would try to remain anonymous.