The Megamillions tonight is 1.3 billion dollars, but that ain't the take home...

 Never, EVER take the lump sum payout. If you do (and you're in a high tax state like New Jersey or Caifornia...

 

You walk with basically 25% of the total prize amount, and - if you're most people - you'll piss that away in five years. Set up a trust and claim it in the trust, taking the payout over 20 years. There is nothing on earth you need that you couldn't buy when you  get your (approx) $ 40,000,000.00+/- every January first, and you can gift the trust in your will. Me? I might wanna buy a new truck. And get a legal name change. And move somewhere where nobody knows me. And maybe a couple new hats, but that's about it...