Let's say you win a gigantic windfall...

[Netpackrat]

Then the fun stuff starts. Visit [strike]the Audi dealership[/strike] Lancair and get Chris an [strike]S8[/strike] Evolution Turbine.

FIFY.

[Aglifter]

Just an FYI, never trust any lawyer, or accountant, completely, with your money.

There are plenty of small firms which handle large sums, discreetly - and, while lawyers gossip like old hens to one another, I've never heard a client name or personal details, unless I was actually consulting - and they carry around all kinds of stuff about people that doesn't get spread around.

The main thing to look for is how prepped are they for continuity. Quite a few small practices, which are otherwise very competent, don't have good plans for dealing with the death of a partner, etc.

The Salvation Army has an excellent trust administration team, and they have assets to go after, in the highly unlikely event something does go wrong.

Banks tend to specialize in draining trust funds.

[TheIrishman]

On the matter of anonymity, unless you already live in and purchased your tickets in a state which allows it, you may be hosed. My tickets clearly say "New Jersey lottery" on them. I don't think I could cash them in Vermont or South Dakota.

As to what I'd do with the winnings? The jackpot for the powerball currently sits at $550m or +/- $231m after taxes. $3m would automatically go into property, $400K to buy the parents house from them and $300k to buy and furnish them a new house/cars across the river in PA(they would kill me for buying them a McMansion). They'd be fine with a(tax free as it would be under my name) new home and $400k in the bank. Another $800k would go to towards the 130 acre property my sister and BIL have been eying. I'd write them up a really nice lease agreement. I could then sell the folks home(yeah I'd take a loss but it would get my parents out from under it) and take the remainder to buy myself a nice little 250-300 acre property in upstate South Carolina.

$20m would go into some form of easily accessible account for immediate spending needs such as rent/construction-farm equipment/cars/guns/bikes/booze and such while my new completely off grid home is being built. Nothing big, maybe 2000sf nestled back in the woods somewhere on the property. Of course I'd use my newly acquired CAT 315 and D6 to dig myself a 2-3 acre irrigation pond. Have a few wells drilled, and begin on the 10,000sf garage/shop/power plant.

$8m would be invested in both my BIL's and current employers trucking businesses. This would leave me with an even $200m to put in lower return but some what safe investments. Even at a 5% return that works out to $10m a year. After taxes and living/traveling/stripper expenses there would still be several million a year being put into trust funds/college savings for my nieces and parents. Returns from the trucking businesses would also be funneled there.

I'd split my time between enjoying the quiet of my little farm(which would be less quiet when the cars/bikes get fired up) and traveling around the country in an Earthroamer.

[HTRN]

On the matter of anonymity, unless you already live in and purchased your tickets in a state which allows it, you may be hosed. My tickets clearly say "New Jersey lottery" on them. I don't think I could cash them in Vermont or South Dakota.

I just checked, and you do have to claim it in the same state. Damn. There goes my idea for using a trust to claim it.

[Netpackrat]

Comp Air 7

I see one here at ANC on occasion.

[Mike OTDP]

If I win, I might hire Chris to run the machine shop for me.

[randy]

A lot of what everyone else said. Keep it as low key as possible. Lump sum, work through a lawyer and Accounting firm.

Set things up to (as much as possible) guarantee income for myself and CINCHOUSE for as long as it is possible for us to be alive. Not much in the way of debts to pay off except for the house.

Then start setting things up in an expanding circle starting with darlin' daughter (college, and a trust fund that she can't touch until she's over 30. By then she's smart enough to hang on to it or not, but it will cut down on the money sniffers during her younger years. Most won't want to hang around that long).

Then Mother, in-laws, Sister, her kid, Brother, his kid, surviving aunts and uncles.

I'm real leery giving money to friends except when they are in actual need (medical, etc). Seems a good way to ruin some friendships. I figure I'll find out who my real friends are.

Property out west (Say, Northern Idaho?). And maybe look at overseas bug out locations, as some of the board have suggested. But I'm really stubborn and may just decide to make my stand here, damn the consequences. But would be nice to have an escape hatch for darlin' daughter and future offspring.

And of course the Gun Counter just became fully funded until doomsday.

[MiddleAgedKen]

Or go the Jimmy Buffett route and get a Grumman Goose or something like that.

[Rich Jordan]

I should just like to say this is a wonderful thread, and I appreciate all the great ideas; they'll be very helpful when my already-purchased winning ticket is confirmed.

[Netpackrat]

Comp Air 7

I see one here at ANC on occasion.

That is one UGLY bird, and the aerodynamics on the fuselage are... barnlike? And for 670hp, it aint quick...

But man, it can haul some weight can't it.

Up to 2500lb dry empty load, 2100lb useful... Not bad. 6 people, with gear, and full fuel is a realistic option; and it will climb at 2000fps at max gross....

Ugly, but capability has a beauty all its own.

Or go the Jimmy Buffett route and get a Grumman Goose or something like that.

The late Terry Smith's Grumman Albatross is still parked across the taxiway from where I work. It hasn't moved in a long time, and I'm pretty sure it could be had for the right price. I seem to recall, that Chris lives on a large lake....