Detailed answer: step‑by‑step process under Rhode Island law

If you are the personal representative (executor or administrator) of your spouse’s estate, the court will expect you to identify the estate’s assets and debts, give notice to interested parties and creditors, and then ask the probate court to allow distribution or to discharge you if there is nothing to distribute. Below are the usual steps. Rhode Island probate matters are governed by the Rhode Island General Laws, Title 33 (Probate Courts): R.I. Gen. Laws, Title 33.

1. Determine whether formal probate is required.

   If your spouse left no probate assets (or only very small amounts reachable by a small‑estate procedure), you may be able to avoid a full administration. Rhode Island has procedures and local probate rules for summary or simplified handling of small or insolvent estates. Ask the local probate court clerk whether a small‑estate affidavit or simplified filing can be used. The Rhode Island Judiciary posts probate forms and guidance: Probate forms (RI Judiciary).

2. Assemble documentation.

   Gather the death certificate, the original will (if any), account statements, deeds, titles, bills, and statements from banks and other institutions showing zero balances or no estate assets in your spouse’s name. Prepare a concise inventory listing each account or asset and the verified balance (or absence of an asset).

3. Check for assets held jointly or by beneficiary designation.

   Many assets—joint bank accounts, payable‑on‑death accounts, retirement plans, and life insurance—pass outside probate to the surviving joint owner or named beneficiary. Collect documentation showing those assets passed outside the probate estate (payee/beneficiary statements or account beneficiary designations).

4. File the initial probate paperwork, if needed.

   If you must open an estate, file a petition for probate or administration in the probate court in the county where your spouse lived. If you are the nominated executor, file the will and petition; if not, ask to be appointed administrator. The petition typically asks the court to appoint you, recognize the estate’s assets, and authorize you to act. If you already opened the estate, proceed to inventory and notices.

5. Prepare and file the inventory (and statement of zero balance).

   Most probate courts require the personal representative to file an inventory or account listing estate assets and their values. If there are no probate assets, your inventory should state that fact clearly and attach supporting bank and account statements showing zero balances or proof that assets passed outside probate. Courts expect you to be able to trace why the estate has no distributable property.

6. Provide creditor and beneficiary notices.

   Rhode Island law requires notice to interested persons and often requires publication or direct notice to known creditors. Even if the estate has no assets, you typically must inform heirs, beneficiaries, and known creditors that administration is underway and that the estate appears insolvent or without assets. Keep proof of mailing or publication. These notices allow creditors to make claims and protect you from later disputes.

7. Wait the statutory claim period or seek early discharge.

   After giving required notices, you usually must allow a period for creditors to file claims. The court will not formally close the estate until claims are resolved or the claim period lapses. If no claims are filed and the estate truly has no assets, you can file a petition asking the court to accept the inventory, find that there are no assets, and enter an order discharging you as personal representative.

8. File a final account or petition to close the estate and obtain an order.

   File the final accounting or a petition for discharge and distribution (or for dismissal if summary procedures apply). Attach the inventory, proof of notices, any claim responses, and receipts showing you paid debts (if any). Ask the court for an order closing the estate and discharging you. If the court finds no estate assets and proper notice was given, it will enter an order discharging the personal representative and closing the estate.

9. Keep records.

   Even after discharge, keep copies of filings, the court’s closing order, and proof of notices and inventory for several years. That record protects you if later creditors surface or a beneficiary questions the handling.

Because procedural details and time frames vary by county and by whether a will exists, contact the probate clerk for local filing forms and timing. The state statutes and local probate rules control the exact steps: R.I. Gen. Laws, Title 33 (Probate).

Typical outcomes

• If the estate truly has no probate assets and creditors do not file claims, the court will usually discharge the personal representative and close the estate after you file an inventory and provide required notices.
• If there are debts but no assets to pay them, the estate will be formally administered as insolvent and creditors will be notified; the court will then enter an order that no distribution is possible and discharge the representative after a final accounting.

Where to find forms and local rules

Check the Rhode Island Judiciary probate forms and local court pages for county‑specific instructions and forms: RI Judiciary Probate Forms. For statutory authority and definitions, see: R.I. Gen. Laws, Title 33.

Helpful hints

• Begin by getting multiple certified copies of the death certificate—courts and institutions require them.
• Make a short inventory spreadsheet: account name, institution, account number (last 4 digits), balance, and whether it passes outside probate.
• If an account shows a $0.00 balance, get a dated bank statement or official letter verifying the zero balance; do not rely on an oral statement.
• Document beneficiary designations and joint ownership with written statements or account printouts showing the named beneficiary or joint owner.
• Ask the probate clerk which notices are required in your county and whether a published notice is necessary—follow their exact template and timing.
• Keep a paper (or secure digital) file of every mailed notice (certified mail receipts) and any responses from creditors or beneficiaries.
• If you receive a creditor claim after discharge, contact the probate court promptly—having clear documentation of the inventory and notices strengthens your position.
• If you are unsure whether a minor asset or a debt changes the outcome, get a brief consultation with a probate attorney before filing to avoid extra court costs or reopening the estate later.