In re the Estate of Bernard

¶1 A court’s paramount duty in construing a testamentary instrument is to give effect to the maker’s intent.1 We determine that intent from the instrument as a whole.2 Similarly, “[t]he ‘touchstone of contract interpretation is the parties’ intent.’ ”3 We follow “the objective manifestation theory of contracts, imputing an intention corresponding to the reasonable meaning of the words used.”4

¶2 Generally, a personal representative of an estate has the right to appeal an adverse decision in a will contest, as it is the duty of the executor to take all legitimate steps to uphold the…