Readers to the rescue

My mom is 87 and in poor health. My sister lives nearby but has little contact with her, while I'm very involved with her care. Am I entitled to a larger share of her estate? --R., Ohio

Our reader says: If you found out that your mother plans to divide the estate evenly, would you do less to help? Your care for her should arise solely from your sense of family, love, respect, and concern_ not too different from the reasons she cared for you growing up. --Brian Jaffe, New York City

The expert says: If your mother chooses to reward you for your help, fine, says P.M. Forni, co-founder of the John Hopkins Civility Project. But the decision is hers and hers alone; you are not entitled to special treatment for something presumably you're doing out of love.

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