In 1951, Owner conveyed Blackacre to Brian for "so long as Blackacre is used solely for residential purposes. Should Brian ever use Blackacre for any other purpose, the interest in Blackacre shall revert to Owner and his heirs." Brian used Blackacre as his personal residence for 20 years, but in 1971, he began operating a bar on Blackacre. Owner knew that Brian was operating a bar on Blackacre, but he took no action. In 2000, the aged Brian decided to get out of the saloon business. Brian closed his business and once again began to use Blackacre solely as his personal residence. Also in 2000, Owner died, survived by his son and only heir, Stephen. In 2002, Stephen laid claim to Blackacre. The jurisdiction in which Blackacre is located has a seven-year adverse possession statute and another statute that bars enforcement of possibilities of reverter 55 years after their creation. May Stephen validly claim title to Blackacre?
A. Yes, because less than 55 years has elapsed since the creation of the possibility of reverter.
B. Yes, because the adverse possession period began to run when Brian returned the property to residential status, and Brian has not held for the requisite seven years.
C. No, because the adverse possession period began to run in 1971, and Brian has held the property for more than the requisite seven years.
D. No, because Owner did not assert his possibility of reverter; thus, no cause of action arose in Owner or his heirs.
Choose A, B, C or D as your solution.
C