Ike v. Doolittle

Opinion

NARES, J.—

Introduction

This case requires us to independently interpret language in both a declaration of trust (the Trust) which created an inter vivos trust known as the Ike Family Trust, and in a related property agreement (Property Agreement) contemporaneously executed by trustors Virgil W. Ike (Virgil) and his wife Jeannette B. Ike (Jeannette), both of whom are deceased. Following the death of Virgil, who had survived Jeannette, disputes arose among the trustors’ respective designated beneficiaries and Jeannette’s intestate heirs over distribution of the trust estate.

This matter…