Problem:
In 1985, Ward Seagram died and left his home, Highland House, and all its contents to his wife June for life, and upon her death, to his son, Ward, Jr., by a previous marriage. Highland House is a large home-four stories and over 20 rooms-and is filled with antiques. In 2000, the home was valued at over $2,000,000. In 2000, June began spending nine months each year in Florida, returning to Highland House for the summer months. The cold winters at Highland House aggravated several of June's chronic health problems. She continued to pay the taxes and insurance and tried to rent the home out for the winter months. After several unsuccessful attempts to rent the home, June simply boarded up the house and padlocked the doors when she left for Florida. Despite her attempts to secure the house, it was burglarized several times. June's lack of attention to the house has begun to show. The landscaping has deteriorated and the house requires major repair and restoration. Ward, Jr. visited the property several times over the last ten years. He attempted to clean up the grounds a few times and fixed a couple of holes in the roof. Six months ago, June received an offer to buy Highland House and all its contents for $850,000. June would like to sell the house, but Ward Jr. refused to grant permission to sell the property. Two weeks after the aborted sale, a fire damaged the house. Ward Jr. has retained you to help him in this matter. He would like to know if he can sue June for damages to the property, or at least get the property transferred to him so he can try to salvage his inheritance.