Opinion ID: 1242580
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Reasonable interpretation.

Text: On appeal, during oral argument, the trustee-respondent argued that it was an entirely reasonable interpretation of the provisions of the trust for the trustee to aid charitable agencies serving both residents and inhabitants of the city of Oshkosh and persons residing outside the city limits. The reference was to acknowledged contributions from the foundation to United Fund agencies, the Winnebago County Association for retarded Children, Big Brothers of Winnebago County and Mercy Hospital, all of which serve nonresidents as well as residents of the city of Oshkosh. Arguably, the same issue of inclusion under a reasonable interpretation of the trust provisions, left unchanged, might be raised as to nonresident students attending schools within the city. However, this is the arrow that cannot befitted to this bow. Even if the issue of reasonable interpretation of trust provisions had been raised at the hearing, the trial court would have been required, as is this court, to hold that the interpretation of the provisions of a charitable trust is not before the court in an action to change or alter the trust. This is not a petition for construction of the terms of a trust. [18] It is a petition to change the class of beneficiaries served by the trust and the composition of the foundation committee. While not an action to break the trust, it is an action to amend and alter the trust by enlarging its provisions. In an action for change, there is neither invitation nor reason to consider what is a reasonable interpretation of the terms of the trust, left unchanged. As one court has put it, the clearly expressed intention of the maker of the trust ... should be zealously guarded by the courts, particularly when the trust instrument reveals a careful and painstaking expression of the use and purposes to which the settlor's financial accumulations shall be devoted.... [19] We hold that neither the doctrines of cy pres nor equitable approximation apply to the petition before us. As to the matter of reasonable interpretation, we hold that construction of the terms of the trust is not before us in an action for amending the trust. So holding, reversal is required, with directions to the trial court to dismiss the petition of the trustee. By the Court. Order reversed, and cause remanded with directions to dismiss the petition of the trustee for the Oshkosh Foundation.