Lottery Winner in Illinois Claims $81.5 Million Three Months Late

It is extremely tough to wake up one morning and know that you have just become $81.5 million richer. That is not the tough part. The tough part is waiting three months to cash that winning ticket.

That is exactly what a woman from Illinois has done. She and her family were smart enough to put together a group of advisors before she cashed the ticket.

The advisors were led by Attorney Terry Zimmer. He had the task of putting together a group that would advise the winning family of how to avoid the shortcomings that other winners have endured.

They hired an estate planner, and others, who helped them avoid certain taxes and mistakes that were made by past winners. Once they had their entire financial plan mapped out, the woman then marched into the lottery office to pick up her check. Three months after she won the lottery.

"We're so proud of them for taking that time. What a sharp winner we have in Illinois and we hope that the rest of our community will hear this and that they'll take a deep breath and consider protecting themselves," said Jodie Winnett, acting Superintendent of the Illinois Lottery.

Part of the planning that took place was to change their number to an unlisted one. They also worked hard to keep their identity unknown from the public.

March 20, 2008
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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