Are you one of the millions of people across the country just hoping and praying that you hold the winning $550 Powerball ticket? If your dreams happen to come true Wednesday night, there are five things you absolutely need to do.
We asked consumer attorney Howard Stopeck, how has successfully handled lottery cases before, to give us a must-do list for any lottery winner. Here's what he said:
1. First—and maybe the hardest for some--- keep quiet. Don't tell anyone you've won. That means no Facebook posts, no tweets, and while you're at it—change your phone number.
2. This one is important: Sign the back of your ticket. Then make a copy of it. Then, take that coveted ticket to the bank and put it in a safety deposit box.
3. Hire a good financial advisor that you pay a one-time fee. Ask that person what to do, pay him--- and then go get a second opinion from a second financial advisor.
4. Indulge yourself. With $550 million, you're entitled to a modest shopping spree.
5. When you go to Lottery Headquarters to claim your prize, make arrangements to get annual payments, and not a lump sum.
Georgia State Troopers are planning to increase patrols during the holiday weekend to look out for impaired drivers, seatbelt violations and other offenses.
Georgia State Troopers are planning to increase patrols during the holiday weekend to look out for impaired drivers, seatbelt violations and other offenses.
Friday, May 24 2013 2:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 18:08:48 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:18:36 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. During an emotional sentencing hearing on Friday morning, Parson's mother told the court she still doesn't believe he is the shooter.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:17:11 GMT
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Families of city workers returned to Atlanta City Hall for a second day of protests on Friday. They say they know the city faces budget issues, but they're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:10:59 GMT
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport.
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport. FOX 5's Chris Shaw captured cell phone video inside the smashed bus at the scene of the crash.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:52:10 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:38 GMT
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans.
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans. Tyler Head was injured in a high school wrestling tournament in December, and getting back and forth to therapy is a vital to his recovery.
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