Probate in Rhode Island | RI Legal Resources | FastCounsel

How to Manage Estate Administration When Assets Are Located in Multiple Counties or Jurisdictions in RI

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney licensed in Rhode Island for guidance. Detailed Answer When a decedent’s estate includes assets in multiple counties within Rhode Island or in other states, you can streamline the administration by following a clear process. 1. Open Primary […]

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What documents are needed to complete a small estate affidavit for estate assets in Rhode Island?

Detailed Answer Under Rhode Island law, a small estate affidavit lets heirs collect certain assets without full probate. You may use this procedure if the decedent’s personal estate (excluding real property) is valued at $40,000 or less. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-19.1 (Rhode Island Small Estates). To prepare and file a small estate affidavit, […]

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How to Distribute Estate Assets Using Rhode Island’s Small Estate Affidavit Process

When a loved one passes away leaving a small estate, Rhode Island law offers a streamlined path to transfer personal property without full probate. This article explains how to use the small estate affidavit process and how to distribute assets to heirs under R.I. law. Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not […]

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How to initiate the sale of estate property to satisfy creditor claims in Rhode Island

Detailed Answer 1. Overview of Creditor Claims in Rhode Island Probate When someone dies owning real or personal property in Rhode Island, their debts do not die with them. The personal representative (executor or administrator) must identify, notify, and pay valid creditors before distributing assets to heirs or beneficiaries. If estate assets are insufficient to […]

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What Options Exist for Selling or Auctioning Personal Property to Reimburse Estate Expenses and Equalize Distributions Among Heirs in Rhode Island (RI)?

Detailed Answer When administering an estate in Rhode Island, a personal representative—often called an executor or administrator—may need to sell or auction personal property to pay estate expenses and ensure heirs receive equal value. Rhode Island’s Uniform Probate Code grants specific authority and procedures to carry out these sales safely and legally. 1. Private Sale […]

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What procedures ensure estate expenses and creditor claims are addressed before distributing assets to heirs in Rhode Island?

Disclaimer This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer In Rhode Island, an estate cannot distribute assets to heirs until all valid expenses and creditor claims clear. The probate process enforces this priority. Here's how it works under Rhode Island law: 1. Petition and Appointment of Personal Representative […]

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How is the fair market value of personal property calculated in a probate case in RI?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. Detailed Answer In Rhode Island probate, a personal representative (formerly executor) must report the fair market value (FMV) of all personal property in the estate’s inventory and appraisal. Rhode Island statutes require that fiduciaries file an inventory and appraisal within 30 […]

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How to Determine Ownership When a Deceased Parent Is Solely Listed on the Deed in RI

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney about your situation. Detailed Answer 1. Search the County Recorder’s Office Start by visiting the Recorder of Deeds in the county where the property sits. Rhode Island law requires all conveyances of land to be recorded in a […]

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What Constitutes Due Diligence for Identifying and Notifying Unknown Heirs in Rhode Island Probate Administration?

Detailed Answer Under Rhode Island law, probate administrators must make reasonable, documented efforts—known as “due diligence”—to locate and notify all heirs entitled to share in an estate. R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-15-15 requires administrators to identify heirs by consulting known relatives and public records. When heirs remain unknown despite thorough inquiry, R.I. Gen. Laws § […]

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How can an administrator locate and verify potential heirs when only limited information is available? – RI

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance tailored to your situation. Detailed Answer 1. Gather Basic Details Begin with whatever you know about the decedent: full name, date of birth, last residence, and date of death. Order a certified copy of the […]

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