Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Rhode Island
How bankruptcy lawyers are paid, the Rhode Island means test and exemptions, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Rhode Island: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Rhode Island Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c) (Supreme Court Rules, Article V), a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery; and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. It must clearly notify the client of expenses owed whether or not the client prevails, and at the end the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Rhode Island Bar Association's Fee Arbitration program hears fee disputes between clients and attorneys (and between attorneys). It does not handle disputes over fees under $1,000; disputes of $1,000 to $1,500 are decided by one arbitrator on written submissions only. Both parties must agree in advance to be bound by the arbitration panel's decision; if the other side will not agree, no panel is appointed. Submit the signed, dated Arbitration of Fee Disputes Agreement & Petition in triplicate with original signatures to the Executive Director, 41 Sharpe Dr., Cranston, RI 02920; phone 401-421-5740. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | If a complaint involves alleged misappropriation of funds by a lawyer, you may file a statement of claim with the Rhode Island Bar Association's Client Reimbursement Fund; the Disciplinary Board itself cannot recover money. |
Rhode Island rules to know first
| Standard Chapter 13 lawyer fee | District of Rhode Island (the state's only bankruptcy district): Appendix III to the Local Bankruptcy Rules, District of Rhode Island Maximum Attorney Fee Without Written Fee Application (amended 12/1/19; rule book amended as of December 1, 2024), provides that under R.I. LBR 2017-1 a detailed fee application is required within 60 days after the section 341 meeting whenever the fee for an attorney for a chapter 13 debtor exceeds $4,000, plus $1,000 for post confirmation work, and $3,000 for services in connection with loss mitigation. Appendix III states these amounts only establish when a fee application must be filed, are not minimum fees, and that all fees remain subject to court approval (the court may require applications even below these amounts). Notice of Proposed Amendment to Local Rule 5071-1 and Appendix III (dated January 22, 2026; proposed effective date February 13, 2026): https://www.rib.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/Rules/Notice_of_Amendments_Jan_2026_Redline.pdf |
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| Means test median income | Median family income for Rhode Island: 1 person $77,653; 2 people $98,736; 3 people $119,419; 4 people $137,479; add $11,100 for each additional person beyond 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026. Used in the Chapter 7 means test (Official Forms 122A-1 and 122C-1). The table's first column is labeled "1 EARNER." The same figures were posted for cases filed April 1 through July 14, 2026. The U.S. Trustee Program updates the table periodically. |
| Homestead exemption | Up to $500,000 in the land and buildings (or personal property used as a residence) that the owner or rightful possessor occupies or intends to occupy as a principal residence. The homestead is automatic; no declaration needs to be filed. Only one principal residence per family qualifies. It does not protect against taxes and municipal liens, debts contracted before the homestead was acquired, debts for the purchase of the home, family court support orders, Medicaid reimbursement liens, mortgages and mechanics' liens, or debts owed to federally insured deposit-taking institutions or entities regulated under Title 19. The statute sets no acreage limit. Federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C. 522(p)) can cap a state homestead exemption for a home acquired within about 3.3 years before filing; that federal cap is not stated in the Rhode Island statute. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-4.1 |
Find and check a lawyer
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Rhode Island Supreme Court's Disciplinary Board and Office of Disciplinary Counsel handle complaints about attorney misconduct, and filing costs nothing. Call (401) 823-5710 to request a complaint form, or write a letter with your name, address and phone, the attorney's name, address and phone, and a description of the complaint, and send it to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Philip W. Noel Judicial Complex, 222 Quaker Lane, Room 1083, Warwick, RI 02886. Disciplinary Counsel checks whether the complaint is within the Board's authority, asks the attorney for a written response (you get a copy), investigates if warranted, and the Board authorizes formal charges or dismisses; for serious misconduct the Supreme Court may impose censure, suspension or disbarment. The Board cannot recover fees or damages. |
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Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Rhode Island Legal Services provides legal assistance and representation to low-income individuals and eligible client groups in Rhode Island. Apply online or call 401-274-2652 (Providence office) or 401-846-2264 (Newport office); the site also lists 800-662-5034; submitting an application does not guarantee help, and if you appear to qualify RILS will contact you to verify the information and decide whether it can assist. LSC lists Rhode Island Legal Services as its Rhode Island grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Rhode Island · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.