Should friends and extended family be included in inheritances/estate plans? How would it affect society? (enemies, ethical)

[MichaelOrear]

[SIZE=3]Hello,[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]The common practice, with a few individual famous exceptions, in terms of actual bequests to individuals (not charitable or non profits) is that if someone has children or a spouse, such people get everything. [/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]Example: Let us suppose David Megabucks, who is self made, a widower and worth 900 million dies and has three children. Each of the three children will get 300 million. No other relatives or friends will get even 1,000 dollars no matter how much they need it. [/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]What if the following was done instead: Since David Megabucks children are his closest (biologically and psychologically) they get the majority (after all one has a strong obligation to prioritize their kids).. say 80 percent which would be 720 million or 240 million each, but the remaining 180 million gets split among others I the following manner (after all with 240 million each, the kids don’t need the rest). Lets say 90 million of the remaining 180 million goes to the siblings, nephews, nieces, and cousins of David Megabucks, and then the next 80 million gets divided among friends in proportion to closeness. For instance, the closest friend of the tycoon (perhaps his childhood friend who became a middle class professor, but remained best friends with him from age 11 to age 82) gets 40 million, the next closest friend gets 20 million, the next closest friend gets 10 million, the next 5 million, the next 2.5 million, the next 1.25 million, the next closest friend gets 600,000, the next 300,000 and the next 150,000. The remaining 10 million gets splits among servants and assistants. [/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]1.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]What do you think would be ethical or unethical about such an alternative tradition of leaving one’s estate.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]2.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]How do you think society would change, if inheritance was not just something that usually came from your spouse, parent, or grandparent, but was just as likely to happen from an aunt, uncle, cousin, friend, etc? While the immediate family would get a larger proportion, everyone close to the decedent would get a little something. [/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]I would appreciate any thoughts. [/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3]Thanks [/SIZE]

[vmaxnc]

I want to decide who gets what of my stuff. I see no point in doing it any differently.

[marlinfshr]

Why?
Where do you get the idea that his kids don't need anymore then a given amount?
He worked for that money and it is HIS decision and HIS only to decide who gets it. That's what wills are for and I'm pretty sure anybody with that kind of money will have one. If he wanted any of that to go to anyone else he could have put it in his will.

[Ohiogirl81]

I don't understand the question. People are free to leave their estate to whomever they choose: children, parents, other relatives, in-laws, friends, enemies, charitable organizations, and even their pets.

[Erratikmind]

I do not see anything wrong with the way it works now.

[Electrician4you]

I decide who gets my assets. Some will go to various charities some to family some to friends. But nobody is gonna cash in.