(a) If a manufacturer or distributor believes that good cause exists for refusing to honor the succession by a family member of a deceased or incapacitated owner under the existing franchise agreement, the manufacturer or distributor may, not more than sixty days following receipt of notice of the designated family member’s intent to succeed and receipt of such personal or financial data, serve upon the designated family member notice of its refusal to honor the succession and of its intent to discontinue the existing franchise with the dealer not earlier than ninety days from the date such notice is served.

(b) The notice must state the specific grounds for the refusal to honor the succession.

(c) If notice of refusal and discontinuance is not timely served upon the family member, the franchise shall continue.