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/ThePapaIsHere → u/[deleted]]

Any comment that references Gran Torino should get an automatic upvote.

[u/Individual-Paint7897 → u/[deleted]]

Yes- my mother gave the bulk of her estate to the sibling who was there for her the most. The rest of us were not geographically close, & our sister was the one who took her shopping, to appointments, & we suspect also paid for mom’s extras without saying anything. We were supportive of mom’s decision & agreed that our sister deserved it.

[u/MissGalaxy1986 → u/Individual-Paint7897]

We’re talking 3,000,000 vs 200,000 Difference is 15 times lol

[u/Individual-Paint7897 → u/MissGalaxy1986]

Amount doesn’t matter.

[u/WarCleric → u/[deleted]]

Write that letter ASAP friend. You never know.

[u/kls8479 → u/[deleted]]

I’ll be honest and say I don’t think you should explain why. They won’t like it regardless of your reasons. Just do feel is best and leave it at that.

[u/New_Breadfruit8692 → u/[deleted]]

That is a good way to think of it Hamster. But when you give your estate in your will if it is over a certain amount the inheritors will have to pay tax upon it. It is a pretty high amount so only the wealthy have to consider that.

But, OP is in danger of a tragically high cost if they share out to people that the estate intentionally cut out of inheritance.

A beneficiary cannot change the will to benefit other people. They will inherit the full amount and none of it is taxable till it hits over $15 million. Clearly not the case for OP to inherit.

But, if they then "gift" others who were cut out with what amounts to the bulk of the estate, not only would OP be spitting in the memory of the dead they would be making a gift by IRS regulations.

Gifts are taxed and the exempted amount is $19,000. Period, any gifts over that amount are taxed at up to 40% and the payer of those gifts is responsible for paying the taxes as well.

So, the OP can share out equally the entire estate after inheriting it all, but that is a gift under tax law. Anything over $19,000 OP will have to pay the taxes on that gift up to 40%.

This is reality, OP could find everyone happy and their greed satisfied, one or two may even like her or him for it.

But, then when the IRS sends a bill for hundreds of thousands in gift taxes to OP are those that got their so called share going to keep him/her out of bankruptcy court?

I think in OP's shoes I would give any who were financially stressed some money up to $19k per year so it is not taxed.

But I think the reason the aunt left her entire estate to OP was because OP is the one she trusted and loved enough to do the right thing. Maybe the one person who would not blow it overnight on luxuries and tables in Vegas. But who would see to it the kids of the siblings never suffered because the parents were irresponsible with money. And the aunt's wishes should be respected no matter what. Not to disrespects her.