Several years ago I read an article in an airline magazine on what to do if you won a large lottery - in excess of $1M. The article was a composite by some attornies and accountants. They recommended not cashing in at first, but contacting an accountant and an attorney. I know the attitude of most towards lawyers, but this seems like a good idea. Have him prepare a will, POA and a trust. When you do cash the ticket they recommended the proceeds go to the trust with the trust then paying the ticke holder. This gets the ticket holder out of the position of having everyone and their brother calling for a handout.
They recommended other things like an unlisted phone number, immediately leaving on a vacation/trip of at least 45 days so many will tend to forget about your winning and go on with their lives. Tell the press to pound sand - you will be obligated by the lottery to give an interview and give them the use of your situation for PR, but that is the extent of the press coverage.
Yes, give lots away to what you consider worthy causes, church, charitable organizations of various types, but keep family and friends at an arm length. You will get calls and letters from everyone under the sun caliming to be related or have aworthy cause. Send them to your attorney or accountant and have them prepare a response - takes you out of being the bad guy.
However, after saying all this. I guess I don't have to worry as I do not buy tickets, considering the lottery is nothing but a tax on the poor, I will not contribute to it. As a case in point, the Kentucky Lottery was $95M this week. There was an office pool with a minimum contribution of $10. Out of about 15 or so that played they are all out the ten bucks and I still have mine. Who was the winner there? Had they won I guess I would have gotten a promotion as the next two supervisors above me both played.