Whether you bought a ticket yourself or got some as a stocking stuffer, could that $1.15 billion Mega Millions jackpot have your name on it? The odds may be against you − like 1 in 302.6 million − but that doesn’t cruel you can’t prepare.

If there is a winner, Mega Millions jackpot would be the fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, making the receive-home prize a lump-sum remittance of an estimated $516.1 million after taxes. How do you even commence to get ready for a windfall like that?

The “smartest thing” you can do, in the occurrence that you do triumph, is keep tranquil and carry on, monetary advisers shared with USA TODAY back in March. And avoid posting any and all details of your triumph on social media.

“If you’re lucky enough to triumph the lottery, keep it silent,” Rob Burnette, an Ohio-based monetary adviser at Outlook monetary Center. “Get organized and make a schedule. Consider staying anonymous, if it’s a possibility.”

Who, if anyone, do I inform about my Mega Millions triumph?

If you discover yourself in a circumstance where you stand to inherit millions of dollars, the best people to get in touch with monetary experts correct off the bat so scammers don’t get the chance to bleed you arid before you even get the chance to liquid assets in.

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“Crooks usually try to get you to wire money for ‘taxes’ or ‘fees,’ or may try to get you to provide them with a lender account number, which they will then tidy out,” Mega Millions said. “No real lottery tells winners to put up their own money in order to collect a prize they have already won.”

No Mega Millions representative would ever call, text, or e-mail anyone about winning a prize so be especially wary of who contact you out of the blue. In sure states, you can remain anonymous if you triumph.

Steve Azoury, owner of Azoury monetary in Troy, Michigan, who has advised many lottery winners, including a $181 million winner “who said ‘If I didn’t recognize you before, I don’t desire to recognize you now.’”  

“Get a levy attorney and a levy accountant correct off the bat and then a monetary adviser,” according to Azoury. “They’ll work hand in hand to figure out the schedule.” 

The “schedule” will assist you get some things squared away, such as whether you will opt to receive an immediate liquid assets payout, or if you’d prefer the liquid assets distributed over period.

The difference between the two is outlined below:

• An annuity alternative makes an initial annual remittance followed by 29 annual payments. Each remittance is 5% larger than the previous one.  
• The liquid assets alternative is a one-period, lump-sum remittance equal to all the liquid assets in the jackpot prize pool.  At Tuesday’s drawing, it’s $413.5 million.

The selection, though, will likely depend on your goals, your age, and what lottery rules are for beneficiaries to continue receiving payments, or if you’d likely squander a lump sum. The size of the lottery winning as well as your current and projected profits are some things to consider, according to Mark Steber, chief levy officer at Jackson Hewitt.

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Your monetary specialist, or experts can also assist you discover a “fall guy,” a person or adviser “who keeps you from giving loans to anybody, who tells people all the money’s tied up in investments, not available,” Azoury said. “We have nothing available to assist you out, and we’re not interested in your assignment.” 

How do I decide what to do with my Mega Millions triumph?

Only you and your monetary adviser, or advisers can assist you figure out the best way to protect you and your money.

Most people won’t claim their prize correct away, taking some period to figure out a schedule that’s correct for them. Mega Millions claim periods, which ranges from 90 days to one year from the drawing date, varies from state to state.

“Winning tickets must be redeemed in the state in which they were purchased, but lotteries typically have a claim-by-mail alternative for most prize levels,” Mega Millions said.

But it might be in your best earnings to “park” the profits until you are able to hire and meet with a monetary adviser, levy accountant and attorney that’s correct for you.

“One suggestion would be putting your winnings in a brokerage account, as many brokerage firms can spread the liquid assets deposits across multiple banks,” according to Azoury. “Within one brokerage account, up to $4 million can be insured, if single, and up to $8 million can be insured on a joint account.”

How much of my Mega Millions triumph will I receive home? And when do I get it?

The exact amount you stand to net will vary, depending on the state you triumph the Mega Millions jackpot in. Lottery-related regulations and laws are different from state to state. While there is no challenging and quick timeframe for the claimed prize to make its way to you, it shouldn’t receive more than a “couple of weeks,” Azoury said.

You’ll likely be propelled into the highest federal levy bracket, if you triumph the lottery. The state where you live and the place where you bought the winning ticket can greatly impact what you pay in taxes and how many, if any other states you will have to file taxes in.

California is one a dozen states, including Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Nevada, recent Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming, that does not levy lottery winnings.

“This is where a levy professional really comes in handy,” Steber says. “State taxes can be very tricky.

When is the next Mega Millions drawing? And how do I play?

The next drawing, where the winning numbers for the $1.15 billion jackpot will be determined, is Friday, Dec. 27 at 11 p.m. ET. Mega Millions drawings receive place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets are available up to 15 minutes before the drawing takes place.

In order to triumph the jackpot, you must match all six winning numbers in a drawing. That being said, players may pick up to six numbers from two divide number pools.

Five of the numbers will arrive from white balls whose numbers range between 1 to 70 and the last number will arrive from the gold Mega Ball whose numbers range between 1 and 25. Players may also select the “straightforward Pick” or “Quick Pick” options, which will have the computer randomly generate six-number sequence.

The “Megaplier,” a $1 add-on characteristic, that can boost non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, six are marked with “3X,” five are marked with “2X,” three with “4X” and one with “5X.”

Where can I buy lottery tickets?

Lottery tickets can be found and purchased from local convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores or purchased online − in a handful of states. Some airport terminals may even sell lottery tickets, too.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, recent Hampshire, recent Jersey, recent Mexico, recent York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn profits for spectators referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling issue? Call 1-877-8-aspiration-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visitjackpocket.com/tos for packed terms.

Contributing: Emily DeLetter and Fernando Cervantes; USA TODAY