Young v. First Wisconsin Trust Co.

Only one question is presented on this appeal, and that is whether the testatrix intended the word, “issue,” as used in her will to include children adopted after her death. The construction of words in a will is to be resolved by the meaning the testatrix gave them when she used them in her will. Will of Adler (1966), 30 Wis. 2d 250, 140 N. W. 2d 219; Estate of Breese (1959), 7 Wis. 2d 422, 96 N. W. 2d 712. The intention will be determined from the language of the will, together with any surrounding or extrinsic circumstances known to the testatrix at the time of the execution of the will.…