A financial adviser shares the smartest steps to take if you win the $508 million lottery jackpot
(Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian)
The Mega Millions lottery has reached an estimated $508 million.
On Friday, someone could win that money and become rich in a matter of moments.
What then?
When the Powerball lottery reached a record high of $1.6 billion in January, Business Insider reached out to CFP Robert Pagliarini to get his best advice for the winner. (Ultimately, it ended up being winners, thanks to three winning tickets.)
While there's a significant gap between $1.6 billion and $508 million, Pagliarini's advice still applies.
On the off-chance you hold the winning numbers, "The first thing to do is to take a very deep breath," said Pagliarini, author of "The Sudden Wealth Solution."
"Research tells us that when we are under stress, our brain responsible for planning and long-term decision making shuts off and the part that takes over is the part that is responsible for our fight or flight response," he explained.
"The more we can ground ourselves and not get caught up in the frenzy, the better our decisions will be."
Next, he advised you call up the lottery association (of the state in which you purchased the ticket) and ask if you are allowed to sign the ticket.
"Lottery tickets are 'bearer' instruments. This means that whoever holds the ticket is the winner," he explained. "I would also strongly suggest you take a photo and video of yourself with the ticket."
Finally, put together your "financial triad."
"This includes an attorney, a tax person, and a financial adviser," Pagliarini said. "This financial dream team can help you make smart financial decisions and help you plan for the future. They can also help shield you from the media and from the onslaught of money requests from others."
Plenty of lottery winners end up blowing it all. The biggest difference between those folks and the ones who keep their wealth is mindset, Pagliarini explained:
Based on my experience working with sudden wealth recipients for nearly 20 years now, I can tell you that those creating lasting wealth have a different mindset than those who spend through their money.
Rule number one is to take control! This doesn't mean you have to have all the answers, but it means that you accept that no matter what happens, it is your responsibility. This shifts the focus from others to yourself. It's that ownership mentality that makes all the difference.
This is an update of an article originally written by Kathleen Elkins.
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