Hiring a Child Custody Lawyer in Rhode Island
How courts in Rhode Island decide custody, emergency custody, parenting classes, how to check a lawyer's license, and free or low-cost family law 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
| How custody is decided | The Family Court regulates custody based on the best interests of the children and must provide reasonable visitation for the parent without custody unless cause is shown. The fact that a parent receives public assistance may not be a factor in awarding custody. The custody statute does not list specific best-interest factors or a child's preference age. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 15-5-16(d) |
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| Emergency custody | A person suffering domestic abuse can file a complaint in Family Court for a protective order, which can include an award of custody of the parties' minor children. When the complaint is filed, the court may enter temporary orders, and if a sworn affidavit or verified complaint shows specific facts that immediate and irreparable harm will happen before notice and a hearing, the court can issue a temporary order without notice. An order entered without notice lasts no more than 21 days unless extended, and a hearing is set within a reasonable time. When the court is closed, a Family Court judge can grant emergency relief by telephone through law enforcement, which expires at the close of the next business day unless extended. Restraining-order complaints are handled by the Family Court Domestic Relations Clerk's Office, which does not process them after 3:00 p.m. (https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/familycourt/Pages/Domestic-Relations.aspx). |
| Grandparents' rights | A grandparent whose child has died may petition for reasonable visitation. Any grandparent may also petition the Family Court for visitation; the court must find in writing that visitation is in the child's best interest (considering the relationship, time spent together, benefits and harms, effect on the parent-child relationship, the child's preference if mature enough, and the parents' reasons), that the grandparent is fit, that the grandparent repeatedly tried to visit in the 30 days before filing and was refused by the parents, that there is no other way to visit, and that the grandparent rebutted by clear and convincing evidence the presumption that the parents' refusal was reasonable. |
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
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
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.