Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New York

No, unless you reserved the right to do so in the deed. I assume you live on the property because you have a life estate. As a result, you can do certain repairs and improvements to the property. If you didn't retain a life estate, he can either sign the property back to you in a quit claim deed or you can offer to purchase the property from him.

Licensed and Practicing in New York.

I agree with Paula. Unless you reserved the right to reacquire the property or have some written agreement that he has breached entitling you to have the property back, all you can do is ask him to re-deed it to you or buy it back.