In Re Estate of Laas

In an action for construction of a will, limited to establishing a valid charitable remainder unitrust, certain beneficiaries of the trust brought a counterclaim against the executor and the other beneficiaries under the will.

The counterclaim sought to establish the existence of ambiguities in the will requiring judicial construction; however, the circuit court found the will clear and unambiguous and granted counterdefendants’ motion to dismiss the counterclaim. Counterplaintiffs filed this timely appeal.

The issues presented on appeal are whether ambiguities exist in the will requiring…