The four Dashwood women are turned out of their home at Norland Park because of two successive male deaths. Their great uncle, the owner of Norland Park, dies first. Then their father inherits the estate, but he dies just a year later. Upon his death, Mr. Dashwood’s son by his late first wife inherits the estate, and his son is set to inherit after him. This means the Dashwood women have no legal claim to the Norland estate, and they need to move.