100 Heirs and $17 Billion: What a Tech Billionaire’s Estate Plan Can Teach Every Family
What would your estate plan look like if you had over 100 biological children and a $17 billion fortune?
That’s not a hypothetical for Pavel Durov, the co-founder of Telegram. In a recent interview, Durov revealed that he has six children through relationships—and more than 100 additional children conceived through anonymous sperm donations across 12 countries. His plan? To leave his entire estate equally to all of them.
Whether or not you’re building a tech empire or parenting triple-digit heirs, Durov’s story reveals a universal truth: no matter how complex or modest your family situation may be, you need an estate plan that works.
You Don’t Need to Be a Billionaire to Need a Plan
Let’s get something straight: estate planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy.
If you have people you love, a home, a bank account, or even just personal wishes you want honored, you need a plan. In fact, the fewer resources you have, the more critical planning becomes—because without one, your family could face:
Long delays in court
Expensive legal fees
Lost access to accounts or benefits
Conflicts over healthcare or guardianship decisions
Estate planning goes far beyond “who gets what.” It includes:
✅ Naming guardians for your minor children
✅ Choosing a healthcare decision-maker if you can’t speak for yourself
✅ Ensuring assets don’t get lost in unclaimed property databases
✅ Communicating your values and intentions to avoid family conflict
Whether you have one child or one hundred, the right plan makes all the difference.
Equal Isn’t Always Simple
Durov’s declaration—that he’ll leave everything equally to all biological children—sounds fair. But from a legal and logistical standpoint, it’s incredibly complicated.
How do you verify biological connection? What if some children were never told about their conception? What if one child contests the inheritance?
Even families with fewer heirs face similar challenges. Blended families, stepchildren, estranged relationships, or differing financial needs can lead to confusion or resentment.
That’s why your plan needs to be:
✅ Clear about who inherits, how, and when
✅ Updated as your relationships or family structure change
✅ Protected from unnecessary conflict or legal challenges
Without clarity, your loved ones could face disputes, delays, or worse—courtroom battles.
Delaying Inheritance Is Smart—If You Plan It Right
Durov also shared that his children won’t access their inheritance for 30 years. He wants them to “build themselves up alone” before receiving their share.
You don’t need a billion-dollar estate to feel the same. Many parents want to avoid raising “trust fund kids” and prefer their children receive assets when they’re financially or emotionally ready.
With the right trust structure, you can:
Delay distributions until certain ages or milestones
Allow access only for specific purposes like education or medical care
Appoint a trustee to manage funds and make decisions in your heirs’ best interest
Maintain privacy and avoid probate
Without legal protections in place, even well-intentioned plans can unravel—or be contested. If you want your wishes to hold up over time, you need more than good intentions—you need legal tools that work.
Planning Is Personal—Not Just Legal
What stands out most in Durov’s story isn’t the billions—it’s his desire to treat his children equally and avoid future conflict. That’s a deeply personal choice, and it speaks to what real estate planning is about: honoring your values, protecting your relationships, and ensuring clarity.
When you work with me to create a Life & Legacy Plan, we focus on more than just documents:
✅ We talk about your goals, your family dynamics, and your hopes for the future.
✅ We name the right guardians, trustees, and decision-makers—people who understand your vision.
✅ We document your values and wishes, so your family isn’t left guessing.
✅ We preserve your stories in a Life & Legacy Interview™ so future generations can understand who you were—not just what you owned.
This kind of planning goes beyond logistics—it becomes a gift of peace, clarity, and connection.
Your Plan Needs to Work When It’s Needed Most
Even the most carefully written documents won’t protect your family if they’re out of date, incomplete, or forgotten in a drawer.
That’s why our planning model includes:
✅ A 3-Meeting Planning Process to get your plan done
✅ Regular reviews (at least every 3 years) to keep it current
✅ Flat fees so there are no surprise bills when you need help
✅ Ongoing support for your family after you’re gone—so they’re never left to figure it out alone
Your plan isn’t just a set of documents—it’s a living system, designed to grow with you and protect your family when it matters most.
Let’s Build a Plan That Reflects Your Legacy
You may not have 100 heirs or $17 billion—but you have people you love, goals you care about, and a legacy worth protecting.
At Starsia Law, we help families like yours create Life & Legacy Plans® that go far beyond documents. We design plans that work in real life—so your family is prepared, protected, and supported through every season of life.
Schedule your complimentary 15-minute discovery call today.
Let’s build a plan that reflects your life, your values, and the people you love—no matter how many that may be.
This article is a service of Starsia Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t 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 & 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.
The content 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.