Nearly $1 billion up for grabs in Mega Millions, Powerball jackpots

Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The Mega Millions jackpot stood at $450 million, with a $281 million cash option, at mid-day Friday, according to its official website.

Jackpot for the Friday night drawing has grown even bigger since nobody had the winning numbers in its Tuesday drawing. The Powerball jackpot also surged, sitting at $550 million, with a $348 million cash option, after no winner Wednesday.

Last time someone won the Mega Millions jackpot was Oct. 13 and the Powerball last saw a winner Oct. 25. The largest Powerball jackpot ever recorded was $1.586 billion in a win last January. The biggest Mega Millions jackpot was in 2012, when three winners split $656 million.

The odds of one person winning both jackpots is 1 in more than 88 quadrillion.

Winning a portion of the largest jackpot ever can cause some legal issues and unwanted advances from some who want a cut of the prize.

A financial advisor told ABC News the best advice is to stay anonymous, protect the ticket and keep it safe, make a copy of the ticket and know that whoever signs the back of the ticket is the individual that has to claim the ticket and the proceeds.

Also advised is to get a tax professional and an attorney to help manage the money and offer investment guidance.