Hiring a Divorce or Family Lawyer in Rhode Island
How divorce lawyers in Rhode Island charge, the state's filing rules, 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. |
|---|---|
| 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
| Residency requirement | The person filing must have been domiciled in and lived in Rhode Island for one year before filing the divorce complaint. This is also satisfied if the other spouse has been domiciled in and lived in Rhode Island for one year before filing and is actually served. Residence immediately before military service continues during service and for 30 days after. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 15-5-12 |
|---|---|
| Uncontested divorce | Chapter 15-5 of the General Laws does not include a separate summary or simplified divorce procedure. After a judicial officer grants a divorce, the Family Court's online Guide and File interview produces the two forms needed to finish it: the Decision Pending Entry of Final Judgment (filed within 30 days of the decision) and the Final Judgment (filed after the three-month waiting period). The divorce is not final until both are filed and signed by a judicial officer. |
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. |
|---|
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 |
|---|
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.