Opinion ID: 1721013
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Weight of Trial Court's Decision.

Text: This court has often stated that the factual findings of the trial court will not be upset unless they are against the great weight and clear preponderance of the evidence. Schroedel Corp. v. State Highway Comm. (1968), 38 Wis. 2d 424, 157 N. W. 2d 562; Eberle v. Joint School Dist. No. 1 (1968), 37 Wis. 2d 651, 155 N. W. 2d 573. However, this court has also stated: The rule that findings of the trial court cannot be set aside unless against the great weight and clear preponderance of the evidence does not apply in a case . . . where the interpretation of a will rests upon the application of legal principles or rules of construction to known facts. Under such circumstances the trial court is in no better position to reach a correct conclusion than is the appellate court. Estate of Holcombe (1951), 259 Wis. 642, 646, 49 N. W. 2d 914. See also: Will of Mechler (1944), 246 Wis. 45, 16 N. W. 2d 373. Although the facts in this case have not been stipulated, basically the case does not present a factual dispute. The primary problem on this appeal is the legal effect of the holographic instrument. This is a question of law which this court must decide based on the same factual conclusions considered by the trial court. We find the trial court's extensive analysis and weighing of the evidence very helpful.