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Most people would keep their spouse as next of kin. That isn't relevant.
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You cannot declare anyone you want as next of kin in the United States. Your understanding of how it works is incorrect.
Please describe "the extent" you are referring to. I am sorry, but you are simply mistaken. You can not choose anyone to be your next of kin in the United States. If so, please demonstrate how you would make your best friend with whom you have no blood relation to your next of kin.
You are confusing "next of kin" with a person who makes decisions for you. You can declare someone besides your spouse as your medical decision maker. You can make a will that specifically states that someone besides your spouse gets certain things (dependent on whether those "things" are considered joint property or not) or is able to make certain decisions for you. And that person does not have to be legally related to you.
Even in the UK, the next of kin legally that they have only deals with medical decision making, not everything next of kin deals with everywhere or even just legally. It doesn't work that way, and likely never will.
What other things that deal with next of kin status are you looking to gain?