While winning a lottery jackpot is a thrilling experience, it can also come with its own set of problems. The best way to deal with these is to stay calm and plan ahead. If you win the jackpot, you can’t immediately cash in your winnings. Most lotteries give winners up to 12 months to claim their prize, but you should check the rules of the issuing authority to make sure you don’t miss this deadline.

The biggest lottery jackpots are usually supersized, which helps boost sales and earn free publicity on newscasts and online websites. In addition, a larger jackpot is more likely to carry over, which means more money for the lottery. Plus, larger jackpots increase public interest, which in turn drives up stakes. Here are some of the most notable jackpots from past years.

A lottery jackpot payout may come in two forms: a lump sum and an annuity. A lump sum is the full prize amount paid to the winner after taxes, while an annuity is a payment plan that spreads the money out over a period of 20 or 30 years. The lump sum payment is the most common choice for lottery winners, but annuity payments may be better for your income tax situation.

If you win the lottery, you should make sure you get the right legal and financial advisors. A reputable attorney will help you claim your prize, and a reputable financial advisor can help you structure your assets so that you can pursue your charitable interests.