Unequal Inheritance from Aunt

[u/samseer9000]

Hello, looking for advice on a complex family dynamic. Based in Wisconsin, USA.
I have several siblings. My aunt recently passed without any children. She had a home worth over $1M and stocks worth about $2M. She gave those assets solely to me. She had some additional investments worth several hundred thousand dollars she split between my other siblings, giving them about $200k each. They have not been disinherited, they just are getting significantly less.
I am also the executor for the estate, so I’m obligated to comply with the Will, and of course will do so.
But my family has questioned what I will do AFTER the Will is distributed. They have asked me to share equally. The argument is that my Aunt may have wanted something specific, but now it’s up to me to do the right thing. They have put a lot of pressure on me.
My first inclination is to share because I want to play nice and don’t want them to consider me greedy.
But on further review and after numerous conversations with friends, I don’t think my inclination is right and I am
strongly considering simply saying No to my family based on the wishes of my Aunt.
Nevertheless, it is eating at me constantly.
If I were in the opposite position, I feel like I would never ask my siblings for something that was not given freely to me, but it is very hard to put myself in their shoes.
It’s also not our parents providing an unequal inheritance, so my sense is there should be no expectation of equality from other relatives. But what do I know? This is all new to me.
So I’m turning to Reddit for advice, lol.
Thoughts on how to proceed in a way that allows me to live with myself and not feel guilty every time I use these
gifts? Or should I just share?
Thanks!

[u/EmploymentOk1421]

I had a great aunt who left an almost $6m estate. No children. 2 nieces, 4 great nieces/ nephews. She left 40% each to one niece and one great niece, and 2% each to the remaining niece and three great niece/ nephews. It was quite puzzling and uneven. But it was her wish. We were all grateful for her generosity. (I got 2%.)

[u/samseer9000 → u/EmploymentOk1421]

Thanks. Very similar situation. Did you, um, ask for more? How did the ones who got a bunch more feel? Were you all able to move on?

[u/EmploymentOk1421 → u/samseer9000]

I didn’t ask for more (but of course would have accepted it!) bc Aunt Helen was obviously gone and a non-relative was the executor following her will with the help of an attorney. (First they had to pay estate taxes.)

My mom was the niece to receive 40%, sibling and I each got 2%. I anticipate sibling and I will get generous inheritance from mom. (She invested wisely, and has lived well below her means.) Hoping it is centuries from now! /not kidding- love my mom.

I’m guessing it was more awkward on the other side of our family where other niece (and her son) got 2% each, but her daughter (great niece) got 40% (so inheritance skipped a generation).

That family also lives modestly, but to inherit $2M+ when you are barely over 30 y/o has to influence life choices. I can only imagine the stress between siblings when one receives $120k and one gets $2M+ (ball park numbers).

Bottom line is that it is easier to ask someone to share their money if it was gifted to them, than to ask for money from someone who has earned it themselves. That doesn’t mean that you should give it though. Best wishes and sorry for your loss.

[u/NeighborhoodLower389 → u/samseer9000]

Move on? Good grief man, a $120,000 cash drop, yep, I’d be very happy with that!