A name is “just a name” if you have a common name. It’s not if you have a unique or rare name.
Also I believe name changes are public record. I’m guessing the only way to get a non-public name change is when your life is in danger (bad divorce, stalking, witness protection type cases).
I disagree – It’s not a time killer. It’s a fun exercise that helps you figure out your priorities, might change your whole outlook, and lead you to live a more fulfilling life. IMHO.
Even if your kid grows up to be an asshole? That kind of money changes people.
No taxes below lifetime gift exclusion.
I’d buy 500 acres in Pennsylvania of the best black cherry forest in the country and do nothing but cut down, mill, and build furniture.
Aside from the privacy protection issues (fortunately living in a state allowing lottery winners to remain anonymous) for which I’d hire an attorney, I think I may take the lumpsum mostly because I don’t trust the lottery/state government to pay me my due over 20 years. I also would not control inflation or forex impact on the winnings when taking the lottery annuity.
That said, I’d still recommend a lot of people I know to take the annuity due to their quasi-certainty of screwing up the investing of the lumpsum based on evidence of how they handle their finances usually.
P.S.: It’s all academic though since I’ve never bought a lottery ticket ever so my odds of winning are even slimmer than most…
Sorry. I meant that I have no strong feelings about my current name and would happily change it for a Powerball jackpot. I’m fairly used to using aliases in casinos anyway,
I suspect for the amount of money at stake, you could convince a judge to do it under seal.
Say Wha?
This is why to take the lump sum. You can hedge against inflation. But, you obviously have to have the discipline not to blow it all.
Ha! I’ve still got a Braniff boarding pass with “Lucky” as the passenger name. The stewardess gave me grief on the inbound flight, but the outbound stewardess was more interested.
Be careful which lawyer you hire to help you claim your money anonymously, invest it, set up trusts, etc. he might be scamming you and in league with the mob.