If a person, who has contracted in writing to convey real estate, dies before making the conveyance, the other party may file a complaint in the Superior Court to enforce specific performance thereof against the personal representative, the successors to the decedent's property which is subject to the contract if no administration has occurred, or to the distributees of that property, if the action is commenced within 3 years from the first appointment of a personal representative or from the time when he is entitled to such conveyance, but not exceeding 4 years after the first appointment of a personal representative, provided written notice of the existence of the contract is given to the personal representative within one year after the first appointment of a personal representative.   [PL 1979, c. 540, §39 (AMD).]