2005 Maine Code - §1437 — Survivorship

      1. Right of family member. The right of a designated family member to succeed in dealer ownership is governed by the following provisions.
   
A. Any designated family member of a deceased or incapacitated new recreational vehicle dealer who has been designated as successor to that dealer in writing to the manufacturer may succeed the dealer in the ownership or operation of the dealership under the existing dealer agreement or distribution agreement if the designated family member gives the manufacturer of new recreational vehicles a written notice of the intention to succeed to the dealership within 120 days of the dealer's death or incapacity. The designated family member may not succeed the dealer if there exists good cause for refusal to honor the succession on the part of the manufacturer. [1997, c. 427, §2 (new).]    
B. The manufacturer may request and the designated family member shall provide, upon the request, on forms provided for that purpose by the manufacturer, personal and financial data that is reasonably necessary to determine whether the succession may be honored. [1997, c. 427, §2 (new).] [1997, c. 427, §2 (new).]
      2. Refusal to honor; notice required. The refusal to honor the right of the designated family member to succeed in dealer ownership is governed by the following provisions.
   
A. If a manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, factory representative or importer believes that good cause exists for refusing to honor the succession to the ownership and operation of a dealership by a designated family member of a deceased or incapacitated new recreational vehicle dealer under the existing dealer agreement, the manufacturer, within 60 days of receipt of the information requested in subsection 1, paragraph B, may serve upon the designated family member notice of its refusal to honor the succession or its intent to discontinue the existing dealer agreement with the dealership. A discontinuance may not take place sooner than 90 days from the date the notice is served. [1997, c. 427, §2 (new).]    
B. The notice must state the specific grounds for the refusal to honor the succession and of the intent to discontinue the existing dealer agreement with the dealership no sooner than 90 days from the date the notice is served. [1997, c. 427, §2 (new).]    
C. If notice of refusal and discontinuance is not served upon the designated family member in a timely manner, the dealer agreement continues in effect and is subject to termination only as otherwise permitted by this section. [1997, c. 427, §2 (new).] [1997, c. 427, §2 (new).]
      3. Written designation of succession unaffected. This section does not preclude a new recreational vehicle dealer from designating any person, by written instrument filed with the manufacturer, as that dealer's successor.[1997, c. 427, §2 (new).]

Section History:

PL 1997,  Ch. 427,   §2 (NEW).