State Unclaimed Property in Rhode Island

State Unclaimed Property in Rhode Island: key facts

Administering office

Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division, 50 Service Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886 — (401) 462-7676, ups@treasury.ri.gov.

Official search

findrimoney.gov (free search, online claims, claim-status checks, and claim-document upload); findrimoney.com redirects to it.

Filing a claim after a death

Claims are filed through findrimoney.gov, which states the documentation required for the specific property; supporting documents are submitted through its Upload Claim Documentation page. The Unclaimed Property Division answers documentation questions at (401) 462-7676 or ups@treasury.ri.gov.

No deadline

Treasury holds the property in trust until the rightful owner or a legitimate heir claims it, including after the original owner's death.

Small estate option

When a Rhode Island resident dies leaving only personal property (exclusive of tangible personal property) worth $15,000 or less and no petition for letters testamentary or letters of administration has been filed, a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, or other interested party who is of full age and legal capacity and a Rhode Island resident may file for appointment as voluntary administrator 30 days after the death (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1). The filing fee is $30, plus $5 for the clerk's certification of appointment. Presenting that certification lets the voluntary administrator receive payment of debts and assets scheduled in the statement, in lieu of Letters Testamentary.

Claim processing time

Under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-21.1-24, the administrator must consider each claim within 90 days of filing and give written notice if it is denied in whole or in part; allowed claims are paid with any interest required by 33-21.1-21.

If a claim is denied or stalls

A claimant aggrieved by the administrator's decision, or whose claim has gone 90 days without action, may bring an action in superior court naming the administrator as defendant. The action must be brought within 90 days after the decision, or within 180 days after the claim was filed if the administrator never acted. It is tried de novo without a jury (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-21.1-26).

Governing law: R.I. Gen. Laws Title 33, Chapter 33-21.1 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Search findrimoney.gov for the deceased's name (last name, or last and first) and narrow by city or ZIP code if there are too many results.
2. Select the property, click CLAIM, and continue to file the claim; the claim form states the documentation the Division requires for that property.
3. Upload the requested documentation through the Upload Claim Documentation page on findrimoney.gov, and check progress through Check the Status of a Claim.
4. Call the Unclaimed Property Division at 401-462-7676 or email ups@treasury.ri.gov with questions about what a deceased owner's claim requires.

Frequently asked questions