It’s been 5 years since my husband passed away, and I’ve been raising our child on my own. Life as a single mom hasn’t been easy, but we’ve managed. Here’s the shocking part: a few weeks ago, a woman came to my door with a kid and said, “This is your late husband’s child. I want half of his estate.”

At first, I thought it was some kind of scam. My husband has been gone for years. But then she pulled out a DNA test and started making demands. I told her straight up, “Half of nothing is still nothing.”

The truth is, my husband didn’t leave behind any estate. There was only one thing of value: a rental house his parents gave us years ago. Because it was in both our names, it automatically became mine when he passed. I already sold it, and that money is going toward my kid’s college fund.

I checked with a lawyer, and legally, I don’t owe her or her child anything. But now people around me are saying I’m being heartless and unfair. They think I should give the other child something. Honestly, I don’t agree. I have to put my child first.

So here’s my question for your readers: Am I wrong for refusing to share, or is this mom just trying to cash in on a sad situation?

— A mom who just wants to do right by her kid