Tips to stay anonymous if you win lottery

Reggie Aqui Image
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Tips to stay anonymous if you win lottery
Here are some tips from a lawyer on how to stay anonymous if you win the lottery.

Someone, maybe you, could be an instant billionaire in Powerball jackpot tonight and be the envy of all of us. Odds are, no matter how hard the winner tries, he or she won't be able to keep their identity a secret for long. In most states including California, it's a law that you cannot remain anonymous.

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"They want to add legitimacy to the game to make sure they let everyone know there's a real winner. That it's not fixed in any way," said Jason Kurland, lawyer.

"Is there anything I can do to limit my name being out there people knowing all my business," asked ABC7's Reggie Aqui.

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"For instance one of my clients we named the Rainbow Sherbert Trust, because that's what they were buying when they got the ticket. So no one remembers the actual winner, but they do remember the Rainbow Sherbert Trust," said Kurland.

Kurland is referring to forming an LLC once you win the lottery. It won't keep your name private, but it should help shield you a bit.

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