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Short answer: You formally object by filing a written objection or petition with the Rhode Island probate court that has jurisdiction over the decedent’s estate, serve the objection on the applicant and other interested parties, and attend the court hearing where the judge will decide whether to grant, deny, or modify the appointment. Below are clear, practical steps, what to prove at a hearing, possible outcomes, and where to find Rhode Island’s applicable probate rules and statutes.

1. Confirm the basic facts and jurisdiction

• Confirm which probate court is handling the estate (usually in the county where the decedent lived).
• Obtain the application for letters of administration and any filed documents from the court file so you know what was requested and on what grounds the applicant seeks appointment.
• Determine whether the decedent left a will. If a will exists and someone has applied for administration instead of probate, that raises additional issues (a will contest or objection may be necessary).

2. Identify whether you are an “interested person”

Interested persons commonly include the surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings, and creditors. If you are a potential heir or beneficiary, you normally have standing to object. If you are unsure, ask the probate clerk or an attorney to confirm.

3. Common legal grounds to object

• Applicant is not entitled to priority under Rhode Island’s appointment rules (someone with higher priority exists and is willing to serve).
• Applicant is incompetent, incapacitated, incarcerated, or otherwise legally disqualified.
• Applicant has a conflict of interest, a history of financial misconduct, or inability/unwillingness to post required bond.
• There is a valid, probated will naming a different personal representative (if the will controls, the court may refuse administration).
• Evidence of fraud, undue influence, or improper notice in the application process.

4. Procedural steps to formally challenge (practical checklist)

1. Prepare a written objection or a competing petition. Title the document as required by the probate court (for example, “Objection to Application for Letters of Administration” or “Petition to Object/For Appointment”). State your name, relationship to decedent, your grounds for objecting, and the relief you seek (deny appointment, set bond, appointment of someone else, etc.).
2. Attach or cite supporting evidence: death certificate, copy of the decedent’s will (if any), family tree/heir list, criminal records or other documents proving disqualification, affidavits from witnesses, bank statements, or other relevant records.
3. File the objection with the probate court clerk where the estate was opened. Ask the clerk for the case number and for local filing rules, hearing scheduling procedures, and any required filing fees.
4. Serve the objection on the applicant and all other required interested parties and creditors under Rhode Island procedure. Proper service is essential—follow the court’s rules on who must be served and how.
5. Request a hearing date if the court does not automatically schedule one. Some objections lead to a prompt hearing; others may result in an initial conference.
6. Prepare for the hearing: organize exhibits, prepare witness testimony or affidavits, and be ready to explain your legal and factual basis for objecting.

5. What to expect at the hearing

The judge will hear testimony and review evidence about the applicant’s qualifications and the priorities set by Rhode Island probate law. You should be prepared to show why the applicant should not be appointed (for example, a higher-priority heir wants to serve, the applicant lacks capacity, or the applicant engaged in misconduct). The court may:

• Deny the application and appoint someone else (often the next person in the statutory priority list).
• Grant the application but impose conditions (require a bond, supervised accounting, or co-administrator).
• Continue the matter to allow time for additional evidence.

6. If the applicant already received letters

You can still move to remove an appointed administrator if you later discover grounds for removal (misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, failure to account, or inability to serve). File a petition for removal with the probate court and follow similar notice and hearing procedures.

7. Timing and deadlines

Timing rules vary by court and by the type of notice the court issued. Act quickly: statutes of limitation for some claims and court scheduling can move faster than you expect. Contact the probate clerk immediately to learn any local deadlines for filing objections and service rules.

8. Where to find Rhode Island statutes and forms

Rhode Island’s probate statutes are in Title 33 of the Rhode Island General Laws. You can review Title 33 here: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/statutes/title33/.

Rhode Island probate court information and forms are available at the Rhode Island Judiciary website: https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/ProbateCourts/Pages/default.aspx. For probate forms and local procedures, check: https://www.courts.ri.gov/Forms/Pages/Probate-Forms.aspx.

9. Evidence tips

• Document any proof of the applicant’s unfitness: financial records, prior criminal convictions (if relevant), or testimony from people who observed concerning behavior.
• Provide a clear heirship chart showing why you (or another person) have priority under intestacy rules.
• Use sworn affidavits if witnesses cannot appear in person.

10. Consider alternative or parallel steps

• If you want to serve as administrator, file your own application and explain why you are qualified and why the court should prefer you.
• In complex family disputes, consider mediation or settlement negotiations before the hearing.
• If immediate action is needed to protect estate assets, ask the court for temporary relief or an interim fiduciary while objections are resolved.

Because probate practice has both statutory and local procedural components, review the applicable sections of Rhode Island’s Title 33 and consult the probate clerk for county-specific filing rules. Rhode Island statutes can be read here: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/statutes/title33/.

Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Rhode Island probate attorney or contact the probate court clerk for guidance.