Matter of Estate of Neshem

MARING, Justice.

[¶ 1] Connie Davis, Cynthia Rice, and Carolyn K. Beloit f/k/a Carolyn Faber (petitioners) appealed a judgment construing Evelyn Neshem’s will to exclude them as residuary devisees of her estate. We hold Evelyn’s will, when construed as a whole to give meaning to each word and phrase, expresses her intent to treat the petitioners as her issue and devisees under her will. We reverse and remand for proceedings consistent with that interpretation.

[¶ 2] Joseph and Evelyn Neshem were husband and wife. They had one son, Ronald, from their marriage, and Joseph had one son, Clifford,…