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 — (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 probate petition has been filed, a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, or other interested party may file for appointment as voluntary administrator 30 days after the death (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1). 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.

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.

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