State Unclaimed Property in Rhode Island

Official search

Search is free at findrimoney.gov, which also takes claims online, shows claim status and accepts claim documents; findrimoney.com redirects to it.¹

Documents for an heir or estate claim

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.¹

Deadline to claim

Treasury holds the property in trust until the rightful owner or a legitimate heir claims it, including after the original owner's death, so there is no deadline to claim.²

Claiming without a probate order

Under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, 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 voluntary administrator may be appointed 30 days after the death.³

Presenting the clerk's certification of appointment lets the voluntary administrator receive payment of debts and assets scheduled in the statement, in lieu of Letters Testamentary.³

Who may claim for a deceased owner

Under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, 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 a sworn statement with the probate court to be appointed voluntary administrator.³

Fees

The filing fee for voluntary administration under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1 is $30, plus $5 for the clerk's certification of appointment.³

Processing time

R.I. Gen. Laws 33-21.1-24 requires the administrator to consider each claim within 90 days of filing and to give written notice if it is denied in whole or in part.⁴

How an approved claim is paid

Under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-21.1-24, allowed claims are paid with any interest required by 33-21.1-21.⁴

If a claim is denied

Under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-21.1-26, 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.⁵

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.⁵

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

Superior court action after the administrator's decision

within 90 days of the decision of the administrator⁵

Superior court action when the administrator never acted on the claim

within 180 days of the filing of the claim⁵

Probate court

Takes the sworn statement and issues the certification of appointment as voluntary administrator³

• A deceased-owner document checklist

1. 1.findrimoney.gov (Rhode Island Unclaimed Property Division)
2. 2.Unclaimed Property (Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer)
3. 3.R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1 (voluntary administration)
4. 4.R.I. Gen. Laws 33-21.1-24
5. 5.R.I. Gen. Laws 33-21.1-26