SIL plotted to inherit estates from childless aunts

[Anonymous]

OP should go read Reddit for similar bad stories. Not because this is happening all the time, it’s not, but just to know how screwed up these inheritance games get.
I hope my kids never do that to each other. But I’ll be so old when that time comes I won’t be able to do much other than change my will.

[Anonymous]

Gosh. No one is owed anything from anyone. OP you are not owed anything in this scenario. I'm not surprised that's your attitude given your brother and SIL. Same family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

You’d leave her money too or leave her, and only her, all the money?

One aunt is leaving some money and donating the rest. Seems nobody likes OP and her family here.

That’s not clear today from what I read.

But there will definitely be a rift between the sibling families once this all goes down. And SIL, entirety and auntie know it, because they created it.

There’s only a rift because OP thinks she’s entitled.

And why is SIL entitled?

Because aunt named her in the will as a beneficiary. Maybe that was a foolish decision; maybe it was a great one. She could leave her entire estate to her cat if she wanted to. It’s her money and her choice what to do with it.

Giving the estate to only one out-of-state nephew and not splitting it in half to both:
What would make that a great decision in your mind?
What would make that a foolish decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gosh. No one is owed anything from anyone. OP you are not owed anything in this scenario. I'm not surprised that's your attitude given your brother and SIL. Same family.

Sis in law knows that, her plan is playing out as she hoped. Except for charity aunt, she ain’t buying it yet enough to change her will.
Who’s next?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

You’d leave her money too or leave her, and only her, all the money?

One aunt is leaving some money and donating the rest. Seems nobody likes OP and her family here.

That’s not clear today from what I read.

But there will definitely be a rift between the sibling families once this all goes down. And SIL, entirety and auntie know it, because they created it.

There’s only a rift because OP thinks she’s entitled.

And why is SIL entitled?

Because aunt named her in the will as a beneficiary. Maybe that was a foolish decision; maybe it was a great one. She could leave her entire estate to her cat if she wanted to. It’s her money and her choice what to do with it.

Giving the estate to only one out-of-state nephew and not splitting it in half to both:
What would make that a great decision in your mind?
What would make that a foolish decision?

Great decision: Nephew and wife have maintained contact; been very warm and loving; made aunt feel less lonely; perhaps they did a big favor for aunt; aunt has always felt some special bond or kinship with nephew; aunt has always felt sorry for nephew; aunt feels like nephew and wife need money more than other relatives do

Foolish decision: Aunt isn’t of sound mind and doesn’t even understand what she’s agreed to; it never occurred to aunt that this would cause strife between OP and brother and that’s the last thing aunt wants; nephew and wife also have been given POA and Medical POA and use this power to plunge aunt into debt while she’s still alive or hasten her death by declining medical interventions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

I would hope that if I decided to do something stupid by arbitrarily disinheriting some family members, a close friend or family member would discuss the matter with me and make sure I'm aware of the consequences. If I have good reasons, that's fine and can be elucidated in such a conversation. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to reconsider our actions.

This doesn’t seem like it was arbitrary.

Aunt sick and dying in the hospital changing her will to a wife of a nephew!?! lol.
Then hospital divorce was probably mainly to not bankrupt the healthy spouse and get on Medicaid and free hospice asap.

OP only just found out about it, but SIL was named as their executor years ago. OP doesn’t really know the details regarding how this came to pass. Apparently, SIL has had a relationship with these aunts that OP knew nothing about. OP is really in no position to judge the aunts or SIL.

Of course both sides will be judged, barring an obvious offense or infraction, if you change your will like this later.

Agree, both sides will be judged, probably the non-senile one more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

You’d leave her money too or leave her, and only her, all the money?

One aunt is leaving some money and donating the rest. Seems nobody likes OP and her family here.

That’s not clear today from what I read.

But there will definitely be a rift between the sibling families once this all goes down. And SIL, entirety and auntie know it, because they created it.

There’s only a rift because OP thinks she’s entitled.

And why is SIL entitled?

Because aunt named her in the will as a beneficiary. Maybe that was a foolish decision; maybe it was a great one. She could leave her entire estate to her cat if she wanted to. It’s her money and her choice what to do with it.

And the negative fallout will be as expected.
You can’t keep that a secret.

Ask any estate or family law attorney what happens in the few non obvious cases things are not decided equally, especially in small American families.

These siblings are not close. Their primary responsibilities are to their own families. It won't matter at all in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

You’d leave her money too or leave her, and only her, all the money?

One aunt is leaving some money and donating the rest. Seems nobody likes OP and her family here.

That’s not clear today from what I read.

But there will definitely be a rift between the sibling families once this all goes down. And SIL, entirety and auntie know it, because they created it.

There’s only a rift because OP thinks she’s entitled.

And why is SIL entitled?

Because aunt named her in the will as a beneficiary. Maybe that was a foolish decision; maybe it was a great one. She could leave her entire estate to her cat if she wanted to. It’s her money and her choice what to do with it.

And the negative fallout will be as expected.
You can’t keep that a secret.

Ask any estate or family law attorney what happens in the few non obvious cases things are not decided equally, especially in small American families.

These siblings are not close. Their primary responsibilities are to their own families. It won't matter at all in the long run.

We don’t know that, but we do know they won’t be for much longer!
OP can always laugh it off and stay busy, but know they chose to passively or actively screw them out of at least one person’s will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

I would hope that if I decided to do something stupid by arbitrarily disinheriting some family members, a close friend or family member would discuss the matter with me and make sure I'm aware of the consequences. If I have good reasons, that's fine and can be elucidated in such a conversation. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to reconsider our actions.

This doesn’t seem like it was arbitrary.

Aunt sick and dying in the hospital changing her will to a wife of a nephew!?! lol.
Then hospital divorce was probably mainly to not bankrupt the healthy spouse and get on Medicaid and free hospice asap.

OP only just found out about it, but SIL was named as their executor years ago. OP doesn’t really know the details regarding how this came to pass. Apparently, SIL has had a relationship with these aunts that OP knew nothing about. OP is really in no position to judge the aunts or SIL.

Of course both sides will be judged, barring an obvious offense or infraction, if you change your will like this later.

The aunt who changed her will was getting divorced, so of course that necessitated a new will. It’s unclear whether this is the aunt who is leaving her estate to a charity or the aunt who is leaving her estate to OP’s brother and SIL. Regardless, there is no indication that OP was ever named in any earlier versions of either aunt’s will. If OP was never going to inherit from them, she’s lost nothing. The aunts had no reason to think they needed to discuss their wills or estates with OP. The only reason OP knows anything about any of this is because other family members have been stirring the pot. Maybe OP should contemplate their motivations for trying to pit her against her brother and SIL.

Lolz. Surely the aunt predicted decades ago that she’d pick a chosen ones, a spouse of the one of her sibling’s kids to single-handedly get everything, and put that placeholder in long ago.

Surely that makes sense over the boiler plate goes to next of kin equally, which is 90% of the market.

Next of kin equally when we're talking about aunts and uncles? Where is this rule written? This isn't a close family, at all. Separated by states and apparently working status. Why OP was counting on her distant aunts' fortunes is anyone's guess. How big are these estates anyway? If they are all rolling in it does this mean that OP stands to inherit a hefty sum from her own parents? Or are we talking about peanuts?

Do you not know anything about next of kin succession? Most Americans don’t have a will, so that’s what is followed in the legal or probate process to close out things.

A sibling would be the next of kin for an elderly, divorced, childless woman, not nieces and nephews. OP’s parents are still alive. One of them is being passed over for OP’s brother. Maybe OP’s parents have a sizable estate of their own and that’s why aunt isn’t simply leaving her estate to next of kin. Maybe brother has had financial problems. Maybe SIL has been very concerned and caring towards them. Maybe brother and SIL are inheriting because they have so many kids. Who knows?

No one puts some over age 75 as a will executor. But to choose only one beneficiary from out of state is sus.

Maybe they simply want to make trouble. Karma will handle it OP.

Now you know everyone’s true colors.
When the will was remade with SIL or them as executors, your brother had the opportunity to say split it two ways for harmony sake or be sibling co-executors.
He did not, he and his wife agreed to grab it all.

Maybe they simply want to do what they like with their own money. Maybe the brother suggested that and the auntie said no. Maybe OP is an enormous PITA to everyone in her family. We only have her side of the story.

Let’s assume yes to all your theories.

But you agree it will cause a sibling rift, correct? None was alluded to thus far.

Whether this arrangement was a punishment or whim or senility or hatred or a scheme, it will create a sibling rift now or later. Or at a minimum a loss of trust and respect.

Punishment. Whim. Etc. ??

Why so negative?

Maybe it’s just someone choosing to give their money to someone they like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

I would hope that if I decided to do something stupid by arbitrarily disinheriting some family members, a close friend or family member would discuss the matter with me and make sure I'm aware of the consequences. If I have good reasons, that's fine and can be elucidated in such a conversation. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to reconsider our actions.

This doesn’t seem like it was arbitrary.

Aunt sick and dying in the hospital changing her will to a wife of a nephew!?! lol.
Then hospital divorce was probably mainly to not bankrupt the healthy spouse and get on Medicaid and free hospice asap.

OP only just found out about it, but SIL was named as their executor years ago. OP doesn’t really know the details regarding how this came to pass. Apparently, SIL has had a relationship with these aunts that OP knew nothing about. OP is really in no position to judge the aunts or SIL.

Of course both sides will be judged, barring an obvious offense or infraction, if you change your will like this later.

Agree, both sides will be judged, probably the non-senile one more.

Judged by whom? And why would that judgement matter? No one here is owed anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

You’d leave her money too or leave her, and only her, all the money?

One aunt is leaving some money and donating the rest. Seems nobody likes OP and her family here.

That’s not clear today from what I read.

But there will definitely be a rift between the sibling families once this all goes down. And SIL, entirety and auntie know it, because they created it.

There’s only a rift because OP thinks she’s entitled.

And why is SIL entitled?

Because aunt named her in the will as a beneficiary. Maybe that was a foolish decision; maybe it was a great one. She could leave her entire estate to her cat if she wanted to. It’s her money and her choice what to do with it.

And the negative fallout will be as expected.
You can’t keep that a secret.

Ask any estate or family law attorney what happens in the few non obvious cases things are not decided equally, especially in small American families.

These siblings are not close. Their primary responsibilities are to their own families. It won't matter at all in the long run.

We don’t know that, but we do know they won’t be for much longer!
OP can always laugh it off and stay busy, but know they chose to passively or actively screw them out of at least one person’s will.

They can’t be screwed out of something that isn’t theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

You’d leave her money too or leave her, and only her, all the money?

One aunt is leaving some money and donating the rest. Seems nobody likes OP and her family here.

That’s not clear today from what I read.

But there will definitely be a rift between the sibling families once this all goes down. And SIL, entirety and auntie know it, because they created it.

There’s only a rift because OP thinks she’s entitled.

And why is SIL entitled?

Because aunt named her in the will as a beneficiary. Maybe that was a foolish decision; maybe it was a great one. She could leave her entire estate to her cat if she wanted to. It’s her money and her choice what to do with it.

And the negative fallout will be as expected.
You can’t keep that a secret.

Ask any estate or family law attorney what happens in the few non obvious cases things are not decided equally, especially in small American families.

These siblings are not close. Their primary responsibilities are to their own families. It won't matter at all in the long run.

We don’t know that, but we do know they won’t be for much longer!
OP can always laugh it off and stay busy, but know they chose to passively or actively screw them out of at least one person’s will.

They can’t be screwed out of something that isn’t theirs.

That’s some twisted illogic for playing favorites and screwing over someone.

The ONLY way to not screw over your next of kin is to give everyone who’s not a felon or addict or primary caretaker equal parts. Could be zero for all, could be a pro rata for all.

Anything else will cause issues. The aunt, uncle, brother and SIL know that, but hope to not be confronted now or later. That’s their bet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

I would hope that if I decided to do something stupid by arbitrarily disinheriting some family members, a close friend or family member would discuss the matter with me and make sure I'm aware of the consequences. If I have good reasons, that's fine and can be elucidated in such a conversation. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to reconsider our actions.

This doesn’t seem like it was arbitrary.

Aunt sick and dying in the hospital changing her will to a wife of a nephew!?! lol.
Then hospital divorce was probably mainly to not bankrupt the healthy spouse and get on Medicaid and free hospice asap.

OP only just found out about it, but SIL was named as their executor years ago. OP doesn’t really know the details regarding how this came to pass. Apparently, SIL has had a relationship with these aunts that OP knew nothing about. OP is really in no position to judge the aunts or SIL.

Of course both sides will be judged, barring an obvious offense or infraction, if you change your will like this later.

Agree, both sides will be judged, probably the non-senile one more.

Judged by whom? And why would that judgement matter? No one here is owed anything.

They already made their choice to disappoint their parents and sibling’s family. They already know they’ll be judged for it and they don’t care. They have the money, they have other friends who won’t ever be aware of their behaviors, they have their own kids who they may coach to do the same in the future. They don’t care, that’s not in their value $y$tem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

I would hope that if I decided to do something stupid by arbitrarily disinheriting some family members, a close friend or family member would discuss the matter with me and make sure I'm aware of the consequences. If I have good reasons, that's fine and can be elucidated in such a conversation. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to reconsider our actions.

This doesn’t seem like it was arbitrary.

Aunt sick and dying in the hospital changing her will to a wife of a nephew!?! lol.
Then hospital divorce was probably mainly to not bankrupt the healthy spouse and get on Medicaid and free hospice asap.

OP only just found out about it, but SIL was named as their executor years ago. OP doesn’t really know the details regarding how this came to pass. Apparently, SIL has had a relationship with these aunts that OP knew nothing about. OP is really in no position to judge the aunts or SIL.

Of course both sides will be judged, barring an obvious offense or infraction, if you change your will like this later.

The aunt who changed her will was getting divorced, so of course that necessitated a new will. It’s unclear whether this is the aunt who is leaving her estate to a charity or the aunt who is leaving her estate to OP’s brother and SIL. Regardless, there is no indication that OP was ever named in any earlier versions of either aunt’s will. If OP was never going to inherit from them, she’s lost nothing. The aunts had no reason to think they needed to discuss their wills or estates with OP. The only reason OP knows anything about any of this is because other family members have been stirring the pot. Maybe OP should contemplate their motivations for trying to pit her against her brother and SIL.

Lolz. Surely the aunt predicted decades ago that she’d pick a chosen ones, a spouse of the one of her sibling’s kids to single-handedly get everything, and put that placeholder in long ago.

Surely that makes sense over the boiler plate goes to next of kin equally, which is 90% of the market.

Next of kin equally when we're talking about aunts and uncles? Where is this rule written? This isn't a close family, at all. Separated by states and apparently working status. Why OP was counting on her distant aunts' fortunes is anyone's guess. How big are these estates anyway? If they are all rolling in it does this mean that OP stands to inherit a hefty sum from her own parents? Or are we talking about peanuts?

Do you not know anything about next of kin succession? Most Americans don’t have a will, so that’s what is followed in the legal or probate process to close out things.

A sibling would be the next of kin for an elderly, divorced, childless woman, not nieces and nephews. OP’s parents are still alive. One of them is being passed over for OP’s brother. Maybe OP’s parents have a sizable estate of their own and that’s why aunt isn’t simply leaving her estate to next of kin. Maybe brother has had financial problems. Maybe SIL has been very concerned and caring towards them. Maybe brother and SIL are inheriting because they have so many kids. Who knows?

No one puts some over age 75 as a will executor. But to choose only one beneficiary from out of state is sus.

Maybe they simply want to make trouble. Karma will handle it OP.

Now you know everyone’s true colors.
When the will was remade with SIL or them as executors, your brother had the opportunity to say split it two ways for harmony sake or be sibling co-executors.
He did not, he and his wife agreed to grab it all.

Maybe they simply want to do what they like with their own money. Maybe the brother suggested that and the auntie said no. Maybe OP is an enormous PITA to everyone in her family. We only have her side of the story.

Let’s assume yes to all your theories.

But you agree it will cause a sibling rift, correct? None was alluded to thus far.

Whether this arrangement was a punishment or whim or senility or hatred or a scheme, it will create a sibling rift now or later. Or at a minimum a loss of trust and respect.

Punishment. Whim. Etc. ??

Why so negative?

Maybe it’s just someone choosing to give their money to someone they like.

Maybe the aunt likes rifts, drama and back stabbing.

Maybe the aunt doesnt really like her sister.
What better way to get back at your 80 yo sister than to play her only two kids against each other. Glorious.

Maybe the SIL doesn’t like her in laws either. This would all suit her more than fine too. Evil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you call "schmoozing", unmarried aunts might call "company." Being elderly is lonely. Yes, it's nice that you've visited for all these years 1-2x a year, but if SIL calls once or twice a week every week and chats away with them....well, I'd leave her money, too. That's legitimately kind and thoughtful.

Is there a chance that they legitimately feel closer to her than to you or your brother?

I would hope that if I decided to do something stupid by arbitrarily disinheriting some family members, a close friend or family member would discuss the matter with me and make sure I'm aware of the consequences. If I have good reasons, that's fine and can be elucidated in such a conversation. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to reconsider our actions.

This doesn’t seem like it was arbitrary.

Aunt sick and dying in the hospital changing her will to a wife of a nephew!?! lol.
Then hospital divorce was probably mainly to not bankrupt the healthy spouse and get on Medicaid and free hospice asap.

OP only just found out about it, but SIL was named as their executor years ago. OP doesn’t really know the details regarding how this came to pass. Apparently, SIL has had a relationship with these aunts that OP knew nothing about. OP is really in no position to judge the aunts or SIL.

Of course both sides will be judged, barring an obvious offense or infraction, if you change your will like this later.

The aunt who changed her will was getting divorced, so of course that necessitated a new will. It’s unclear whether this is the aunt who is leaving her estate to a charity or the aunt who is leaving her estate to OP’s brother and SIL. Regardless, there is no indication that OP was ever named in any earlier versions of either aunt’s will. If OP was never going to inherit from them, she’s lost nothing. The aunts had no reason to think they needed to discuss their wills or estates with OP. The only reason OP knows anything about any of this is because other family members have been stirring the pot. Maybe OP should contemplate their motivations for trying to pit her against her brother and SIL.

Lolz. Surely the aunt predicted decades ago that she’d pick a chosen ones, a spouse of the one of her sibling’s kids to single-handedly get everything, and put that placeholder in long ago.

Surely that makes sense over the boiler plate goes to next of kin equally, which is 90% of the market.

Next of kin equally when we're talking about aunts and uncles? Where is this rule written? This isn't a close family, at all. Separated by states and apparently working status. Why OP was counting on her distant aunts' fortunes is anyone's guess. How big are these estates anyway? If they are all rolling in it does this mean that OP stands to inherit a hefty sum from her own parents? Or are we talking about peanuts?

Do you not know anything about next of kin succession? Most Americans don’t have a will, so that’s what is followed in the legal or probate process to close out things.

A sibling would be the next of kin for an elderly, divorced, childless woman, not nieces and nephews. OP’s parents are still alive. One of them is being passed over for OP’s brother. Maybe OP’s parents have a sizable estate of their own and that’s why aunt isn’t simply leaving her estate to next of kin. Maybe brother has had financial problems. Maybe SIL has been very concerned and caring towards them. Maybe brother and SIL are inheriting because they have so many kids. Who knows?

No one puts some over age 75 as a will executor. But to choose only one beneficiary from out of state is sus.

Maybe they simply want to make trouble. Karma will handle it OP.

Now you know everyone’s true colors.
When the will was remade with SIL or them as executors, your brother had the opportunity to say split it two ways for harmony sake or be sibling co-executors.
He did not, he and his wife agreed to grab it all.

Maybe they simply want to do what they like with their own money. Maybe the brother suggested that and the auntie said no. Maybe OP is an enormous PITA to everyone in her family. We only have her side of the story.

Let’s assume yes to all your theories.

But you agree it will cause a sibling rift, correct? None was alluded to thus far.

Whether this arrangement was a punishment or whim or senility or hatred or a scheme, it will create a sibling rift now or later. Or at a minimum a loss of trust and respect.

Punishment. Whim. Etc. ??

Why so negative?

Maybe it’s just someone choosing to give their money to someone they like.

You forgot again to answer the actual question:
But you agree it will cause a sibling rift, correct?