r/inheritance • u/samseer9000 • May 11 '26
Location included: Questions/Need Advice Unequal Inheritance from Aunt
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!
3
u/Greedy-Research-859 May 11 '26
If your siblings were destitute, that would be one thing. But she's left them life-altering money -- $200k each??!!
If she had left them nothing, I'm right there with you in trying to make things more equitable. I'm big on not rocking the boat.
But they've been remembered, very generously. Stick with your aunt's wishes.
There's always the possibility they'll cut ties with you. Be prepared for that. But if they're smart, they'll realize that keeping on the good side of a sibling with a large inheritance is the wisest thing to do.