Wachovia Bank & Trust Company v. Taliaferro

The appellants present for our consideration and determination the following question: Did the trial court err in its findings of fact and conclusion that the trust created by the will of Frank Julius Liipfert terminated at the death of Cora Hamlen Liipfert?

• The paramount aim in the interpretation of a will is to ascertain if possible the intent of the testator. In our effort to ascertain the testator’s intent we must consider the instrument as a whole and give effect to such intent unless it is contrary to some rule of law or at variance with public policy. Mewborn v. Mewborn, 239 N.C. 284,…