Matter of Estate of Thompson

TERNUS, Justice.

In this case we must ascertain the meaning of the term “personal property” as used in the will of the testator Lillian P. Thompson. In paragraph two of her will, Thompson bequeathed all her “personal property” to her niece and nephew in equal shares. In paragraph six Thompson left the residue of her estate, including “personal property,” to certain nonprofit institutions. These residuary beneficiaries objected to the executors’ proposed disposition of both tangible and intangible personal property to Thompson’s niece and nephew.

The district court ruled that “personal property”…