A life on the auction block?

A Life On The "Auction Block?" My stepbrother (executor of my mother's estate) expects my sister and me to BUY items from our deceased mother's kitchen if we want to take them home with us. So that means if I want her collection of small spatulas and whisks I have to BUY them from the estate. Is that extreme or what? I can see selling the house, furniture and appliances to help support my step-father, but well used kitchen gadgets? Any thoughts out there in Answers land?