What happens when one person has over 100 heirs? Whether you’re worth $17 billion or not, a thoughtful plan is essential to ensure your wealth—and your values—are passed on the way you intend.

100 Heirs, $17 Billion, and 1 Big Estate Plan: What You Can Learn from a Tech Billionaire

Imagine you’re worth $17 billion and have over 100 biological children—some born through relationships, others through anonymous sperm donations. What would your estate plan look like? More importantly, what could go wrong if you didn’t have one?

In a recent interview with Le Point magazine, Pavel Durov, the co-founder of Telegram, revealed exactly that. Durov, who is just 40 years old, says he has six children through relationships with three partners and over 100 more conceived through anonymous sperm donations across 12 countries. Despite this staggering family tree, Durov says he plans to leave his fortune equally to all of his biological children.

You Don’t Need a Billion Dollars to Need a Plan

Let’s get this straight—estate planning isn’t just for billionaires. Whether you have $1,000 or $10 million, your assets matter. More importantly, the people you love and the life you’ve built deserve good choices and good planning.

In fact, having less money often makes planning even more critical. Without a plan, your family could be stuck in court, paying legal fees and waiting months (or years) to gain access to your accounts, your home, or even the legal authority to make decisions for you, if you're incapacitated.

Equal Doesn’t Always Mean Simple

Durov made headlines by declaring he will treat all of his biological children equally—regardless of how they were conceived. In theory, this sounds noble. In practice, it’s complicated.

First, how do you even find all 100+ children—especially if they were conceived anonymously in different countries? Who gets to verify their biological connection? What if two children fight over their share of the inheritance?

Even if you don’t have 100 heirs, blended families and nontraditional family structures are more common than ever. Maybe you have children from previous relationships, stepchildren, or children you’re not in regular contact with. If your estate plan isn’t crystal clear, your family could face painful conflict—or worse, end up in court.

Timing and Trusts Matter More Than You Think

Pavel Durov says he doesn’t want his children accessing his fortune right away. Instead, he’s locking it up for 30 years so they can “build themselves up alone.” That approach may resonate with you—many parents don’t want their children inheriting a large sum before they’re mature enough to handle it.

With the right kind of trust, you can delay inheritance until a specific age or milestone, limit how funds can be used, appoint a trustee, and protect assets long-term.

Planning Isn’t Just Legal—It’s Personal

The most powerful part of Durov’s story isn’t the money—it’s his desire to treat all of his children as equals and prevent conflict after his death. That’s an emotional choice, not just a financial one.

When I work with families to create a Life & Legacy Plan, we talk about more than just assets. We talk about your values, your loved ones, and your vision for their future. That means:

Ensuring your children are raised by the people you choose
Creating a system to pass on wealth and wisdom
Maintaining an asset inventory so nothing is lost
Recording a Life & Legacy Interview to preserve your stories

Your Plan Needs to Work When It’s Needed Most

Even the best documents can fail without regular review and ongoing support. If your plan isn’t updated, it might not work when your loved ones need it to. That’s why I use a proven system that includes:

A 3-Meeting Planning Process
At least a 3-Year Review Cycle
Flat fees—no billing surprises
Ongoing support for your family after you’re gone

Let’s Build a Plan That Honors Your Legacy

No matter your family size, wealth level, or complexity, you deserve a plan that protects the people you love and the life you’ve built.

As your Personal Family Lawyer®, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that keeps your loved ones out of court and conflict, avoids unnecessary taxes and delays, and gives your family peace of mind.

To learn more, schedule a FREE discovery call with us by using our online calendar below, or you can call us at 501-300-7526 (PLAN) to schedule your FREE discovery call.

We look forward to being of service to you and your loved ones.

This article is a service of Charles R. Hoskyn at Phoenix Law in Sherwood, Arkansas. We do not just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life and Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life and Legacy Planning Session.

The content for this Article is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.