So you’ve bought a Lotto ticket along with your gasoline and chili dog at the Gulp-n-Blow. Now what? Experts say your work isn’t done:

•  Photocopy your ticket:
Keep the original in a safe place, apart from the copy. Write your name on the ticket somewhere, with the words “ticket owner.” People have been awarded prizes by being able to prove that they indeed owned the destroyed ticket,. If you buy tickets with a group of people, photocopy the tickets and give everyone a copy.

•  Double check those numbers:
An estimated 12% of lottery prizes go unclaimed, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. In 1998, someone forgot to claim a $34 million Lotto payout.

•  Its ok to take candy from a baby:
Beware when Grandma gives Junior a scratch ticket at Christmas. Minors aren’t supposed to buy lottery tickets or even play the lottery. The worst-case scenario: A million-dollar ticket could be rendered invalid if the minor shows up to claim the prize. That’s what would happen in Massachusetts, says Massachusetts State Lottery’s Amy Morris. A lesser evil is that a big prize could be locked up for years. In British Columbia, if a minor is given a ticket and then shows up to claim the jackpot, the money would be retained by a public trustee until the child reaches age 19, says Alison Lester, a spokesperson for B.C. Lottery. How to avoid these problems: “Play it for him,” and claim any prize for Junior.

•  Legalize that lotto pool:
If you pool your tickets with others;
∙ Its always better to do so with coworkers than family members.
∙ Keep a written agreement signed by all participants describing any special arrangements in a safe place.
∙ Everyone should have a copy.
∙ Alter the agreement if the group changes
∙ Form a legal partnership, using one of those computer legal programs, and have a lawyer ensure that it’s appropriate. Then, get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) by filling out IRS form SS-4, which is available on TurboTax, and sending it in. Why? If you hit it big, the winners can each pay their taxes to the partnership. Complications (and extra gift taxes) can result when one group member claims the prize and then doles out the money.