What is the name of Harper Lee's older sister who assisted with the novel?

Harper Lee’s older sister who assisted with the novel’s affairs was Alice Finch Lee.

Alice was the eldest of Harper Lee’s siblings and became an important protector of her younger sister’s professional and personal interests. A lawyer in Alabama, she handled publicity requests and helped shield Lee from the intense attention that followed To Kill a Mockingbird’s success.

Alice was not the novel’s co-author, and the wording “assisted with the novel” can create that impression. Her contribution was chiefly practical and protective: she served as an adviser, gatekeeper, and representative while Harper Lee maintained a famously private life. Alice’s legal background also made her a natural advocate for her sister’s affairs.

Alice Lee was one of Alabama’s early female lawyers. She practiced law in Monroeville, worked with her father’s firm, and remained closely associated with Harper Lee’s legacy until her death in 2014. Harper Lee’s other older sister was Louise Lee Conner, which is why the siblings’ names can sometimes be confused.