Powerball jackpot hits $1 billion—experts say to avoid these 5 mistakes if you win: 'You will be in an emotional state for a while'

After 41 draws without a winner, the Powerball lottery jackpot has climbed to $1 billion — the seventh largest in the lottery’s history.

Even if you don’t match all six numbers, smaller prizes of $1 million and $50,000 are still in play.

If you somehow beat the odds and win a large cash prize, what happens next can be just as important as the win itself. That’s because decisions you make in the first few days can leave you vulnerable to losing or mismanaging the prize.

Here are five common mistakes experts say to avoid, starting the moment the ticket is in your hands.

Until a lottery ticket is signed, “the person who physically holds a winning ticket” can claim the prize, according to the South Carolina Education Lottery, one of the state lotteries that administers Powerball.