We are told that Henry Dashwood is the legal inheritor of Norland, and that old Mr Dashwood intended to bequeathe it to him. That he is the legal inheritor means that he will inherit Norland if there is no will. But Mr Henry Dashwood is double sure to inherit Norland, because Mr Dashwood also intends to bequeathe it to him. But as it turns out, Norland is secured to little Harry, which means that Henry Dashwood is now in the same situation as Mr Bennet from P&P. He lives on the estate, but he can't control what is going to happen to it after his death, and it leaves him "no power of providing for those who were most dear to him, and who most needed a provision, by any division of the estate, or by any sale of its valuable woods". If old Mr Dashwood had not left the estate to Harry, then Henry Dashwood would have been able to divide the estate or sell some of the wood, thereby enlarging the income of his wife and daughters...writing a will is not always a good thing;-)