Rhode Island: What Happens to Joint Bank Accounts and Property When Someone Dies Without a Will?
How Rhode Island Handles Joint Bank Accounts and Jointly Owned Property When a Person Dies Intestate Short answer: In Rhode Island, how assets pass after someone dies without a will depends on how each asset is titled. Assets that include a surviving owner by name (for example, joint accounts with rights of survivorship or tenancy […]
Read article →Rhode Island — Reimbursable Expenses for Maintaining Estate Property Before Sale
Maintaining Estate Property: What Costs Can a Fiduciary Recover in Rhode Island? Summary: When you administer an estate in Rhode Island and need to maintain real property before sale, many out‑of‑pocket costs can be paid from estate funds or later reimbursed to you as the personal representative (executor or administrator). This article explains the types […]
Read article →How to Be Appointed Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator in Rhode Island
Appointment as Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator in Rhode Island: FAQ Disclaimer: This article explains general Rhode Island procedures and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney about your specific situation. What is an administrator or co-administrator? An administrator is a person appointed by the probate court […]
Read article →Rhode Island: Using Wills and Beneficiary Designations to Avoid Probate
How you can use wills and beneficiary designations to help avoid probate in Rhode Island Short answer: Some assets can pass to your spouse, partner, or children outside of probate in Rhode Island if you use beneficiary designations, payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts, and joint ownership with rights of survivorship. A will controls only […]
Read article →How to Submit an Original Will to a Rhode Island Probate Court When You Live Out of State
Detailed Answer This section explains, step-by-step, what to do when you must present an original will to a Rhode Island probate court while you live out of state. The goal is to start probate properly, protect estate property in Rhode Island, and reduce delay and risk to the original will. 1. Confirm which Rhode Island […]
Read article →Rhode Island — How to Confirm a Will Is the Original
How to confirm whether a will you received is the original under Rhode Island law Short answer: Under Rhode Island practice, probate courts expect the original signed document when someone attempts to admit a will to probate. If you only have a copy, there are steps you can take to confirm authenticity, locate the original, […]
Read article →Buying Out Siblings’ Interests in Property — Rhode Island
Detailed Answer This answer explains how one co-owner can acquire the others’ interests in real estate in Rhode Island. It walks through common scenarios (property owned jointly during the owner’s life, property that passes through a probate estate), the practical steps to reach a buyout, and the court options if family members do not agree. […]
Read article →Buying Out Siblings’ Shares of a Parent’s House in Rhode Island
FAQ — Steps to keep a family home by buying out co‑heirs in Rhode Island Detailed answer When a parent’s house is expected to be sold during probate, a common alternative is for one heir to buy the other heirs’ shares so the property stays in the family. Under Rhode Island law, the exact process […]
Read article →Rhode Island: Can an Estate Recover Money an Heir Withdrew from a Deceased Parent's Accounts?
Detailed Answer When a person dies, their money and credit-card liabilities become part of their estate unless the accounts are owned in a way that passes them directly to another person (for example, joint accounts with right of survivorship or accounts with a named beneficiary/POD). Under Rhode Island law, the process for collecting assets, paying […]
Read article →Requesting a Guardian ad Litem for Minor Heirs Before Selling Inherited Land in Rhode Island
How Rhode Island Courts Protect Minor Heirs When Real Estate Is Sold This FAQ-style guide explains how Rhode Island courts handle representation for minor beneficiaries and how to ask a court to appoint an independent guardian ad litem before an estate-owned parcel is sold. This is educational information only and not legal advice. Detailed Answer […]
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