Woodrick v. Wood

George Wood left his property to his wife Catherine (defendant) as a life estate, with the remainder to his children Patricia (plaintiff) and Sheridan upon Catherine's death. An old, deteriorating barn straddling two lots was no longer suitable for its original purpose; Catherine and Sheridan wanted to tear it down, but Patricia — holding a future interest in one of the lots — sued to enjoin the demolition. The trial court denied the injunction but ordered that, if the barn were razed, Catherine and Sheridan pay Patricia $3,200 to compensate her for the structure's loss.

Whether the holder of a remainder interest in a parcel of property may prevent the life tenant of that property from destroying a structure on the property if destroying the structure would not decrease the property's value.