Interpretation of Testamentary Documents 2nd ed

Australia Title

Using words to express intentions can be challenging, especially for inexperienced drafters of testamentary documents. Ambiguity can arise from, among other things, conflicting clauses, words with multiple meanings, mistaken inclusions or omissions, and changes in the testator’s circumstances. 

​This text discusses the role, process and rules of interpretation –commonly referred to as ‘construction’, given that it involves construing relevant language to ascertain testamentary wishes. It investigates matters of interpretation surrounding the property that is the subject of testamentary disposition. It discusses the interpretation of terms used in wills to describe beneficiaries, which often have prima facie meanings but are capable of alteration by the language and context. And it probes the various interpretational challenges surrounding the share (‘portion’) of an estate received by beneficiaries.

table of content

Part I Principles 

​Chapter 1 Nature of Testamentary Interpretation 

​Chapter 2 Approaching the Process of Interpretation 

​Chapter 3 Rules of Interpretation (‘Construction’) 

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​Part II Property 

​Chapter 4 Scope of Testamentary Property 

​Chapter 5 Identifying Testamentary Property 

​Chapter 6 Interpreting Terms Relating to Property 

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​Part III Persons 

​Chapter 7 Interpreting Gifts to Persons by    Description 

​Chapter 8 Class Gifts 

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​Part IV Portions 

​Chapter 9 Legacies 

​Chapter 10 Gifts of Income 

​Chapter 11 Conditional Testamentary Gifts 

​Chapter 12 Shared Testamentary Gifts 

​Chapter 13 Absolute and Limited Interests 

​Chapter 14 Vested and Contingent Testamentary Gifts 

​Chapter 15 Testamentary Options 

​Chapter 16 Personal Representatives’ Powers 

​Chapter 17 Residuary Gifts 

​Chapter 18 Failure of Gift​