(1) If a previous proceeding was dismissed because of doubt about the fact of the decedent's death, appropriate probate, appointment or testacy proceedings may be maintained at any time thereafter upon a finding that the decedent's death occurred prior to the initiation of the previous proceeding and the applicant or petitioner has not delayed unduly in initiating the subsequent proceeding;

(2) Appropriate probate, appointment or testacy proceedings may be maintained in relation to the estate of an absent, disappeared or missing person for whose estate a conservator has been appointed at any time within the applicable limitation period, as set forth in this section, which shall begin to run after the conservator becomes able to establish the death of the protected person; and

(3) A proceeding to contest an informally probated will, and to secure appointment of the person with legal priority for appointment in the event the contest is successful, may be commenced within the later of 12 months from the informal probate or the running of the applicable limitation period. These limitations do not apply to proceedings to construe probated wills or determine heirs of an intestate. In cases under paragraph (1) or (2), the date on which a testacy or appointment proceeding is properly commenced shall be deemed to be the date of the decedent's death for purposes of the limitations provisions of this Code which relate to the date of death.

These limitations do not apply to proceedings to construe probated wills or determine heirs of an intestate.__In cases under paragraph (1) or (2), the date on which a testacy or appointment proceeding is properly commenced is deemed to be the date of the decedent's death for purposes of the limitations provisions of this Code that relate to the date of death.

Sec. C-6. 18-A MRSA §3-703, sub-§(a), as amended by PL 1997, c. 73, §§1 and 2 and affected by §4, is further amended to read:

(a) A personal representative is under a duty to settle and distribute the estate of the decedent in accordance with the terms of any probated and effective will and this Code, and as expeditiously and efficiently as is consistent with the best interests of the estate. The personal representative shall use the authority conferred upon the personal representative by this Code, the terms of the will, if any, and any order in proceedings