Section 357-C:8 Survivorship. - New Hampshire Statutes

   I. Any designated family member of a deceased or incapacitated new motor vehicle dealer may succeed the dealer in the ownership or operation of the dealership under the existing franchise or distribution agreement provided the designated family member gives the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch or factory representative or importer of new motor vehicles written notice of his intention to succeed to the dealership within 120 days of the dealer's death or incapacity, and unless there exists good cause for refusal to honor such succession on the part of the manufacturer, factory branch, factory representative, distributor or importer. The manufacturer, distributor, factory branch or factory representative or importer may request, and the designated family member shall provide, upon request, personal and financial data that is reasonably necessary to determine whether the succession should be honored.
   II. If a manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or 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 family member of a deceased or incapacitated new motor vehicle dealer under the existing franchise agreement, the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or factory representative or importer may, within 30 days of receipt of notice of the designated family member's intent to succeed the dealer in the ownership and operation of the dealership, serve notice upon the designated family member of its refusal to honor the succession and of its intent to discontinue the existing franchise agreement with the dealership no sooner than 90 days from the date such notice is served. The required notice shall state the specific grounds for refusal to honor the succession. If notice of refusal and discontinuance is not timely served upon the family member, the franchise agreement shall continue in effect subject to termination only as otherwise permitted by this chapter.
   III. This chapter shall not preclude a new motor vehicle dealer from designating any person as his successor by written instrument filed with the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, factory representative or importer.

Source. 1981, 477:2, eff. Aug. 25, 1981.