How to Avoid Probate in Rhode Island

Non-probate transfers available in Rhode Island: (1) No transfer-on-death deed statute for real estate. (2) Multiple-party deposit accounts, including joint accounts and payable-on-death accounts with named beneficiaries (R.I. Gen. Laws § 19-9-14.1). (3) Transfer-on-death registration of securities under the Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 7-11.1). (4) Small estate (voluntary administration) for estates of personal property worth no more than $15,000, not counting tangible personal property (R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1). (5) Surviving spouses, and heirs using the DMV Sole Heir Affidavit, can transfer vehicles without probate (RI DMV). (6) Revocable living trust.

If an estate is made up entirely of personal property worth no more than $15,000 (not counting the decedent's tangible personal property), a relative (spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt or uncle) or other interested person who is an adult Rhode Island resident may file a verified statement with the probate court once 30 days have passed since death and no petition for letters has been filed. The filer becomes a voluntary administrator who collects the assets, pays funeral and other debts in the order set by law, and distributes the rest. The filing fee is $30 and the certificate of appointment is $5. Real estate is not covered.

Rhode Island's probate title (Title 33) contains no transfer-on-death deed chapter; proposed Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act bills have been introduced but are not part of the General Laws.