Corcoran, Peckham, Hayes, Leys & Olaynack is a Newport firm serving Aquidneck Island, Newport County, and the rest of Rhode Island, in continuous operation for over 150 years. Its attorneys handle probate of estates, advise trustees on carrying out trust terms, and represent clients in guardianship matters, alongside wills, trusts, and elder law planning.
Probate in Bristol County
Probate Court Record
Town of Bristol Probate Court
Bristol County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Website
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Bristol County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Bristol County? →Settling an estate in Bristol County →
Guardianship Firms Serving Bristol County
Moore, Virgadamo & Lynch serves Newport County clients from its Middletown office, a local practice since 1919. Its estate matters include probate administration, estate inventories, guardianships, conservatorships, estate and probate litigation, special needs trusts, and elder law. The firm offers free initial consultations.
Orson and Brusini is based in West Warwick with offices in Newport, Wakefield, and Westerly, serving Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Its estate team supports executors and trustees with probate filings, creditor notices, trust administration and distributions, guardianships, and estate and trust litigation.
Silva, Thomas & Martland practices in Middletown and focuses on Aquidneck Island, Newport County, and Bristol County. Its probate attorneys represent clients in the probate courts administering estates after a death, whether under a will or by administration when there is no will, alongside estate planning and elder law.
Howe & Garside serves Rhode Island clients from offices in Newport and Lincoln, including Jamestown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Cumberland. Its probate work covers proof and contests of wills, executor and administrator appointments, intestate administrations, estate inventories and accountings, and guardianships and conservatorships. The firm offers free phone consultations.
Sayer Regan & Thayer works from offices in Newport and Wakefield and handles probate, trust, and estate administration across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Its attorneys represent executors, heirs, trustees, and beneficiaries, collect, value, sell, and distribute assets, and prepare federal and state tax returns. Free initial consultations are offered.
All 11 Rhode Island guardianship firms serving Bristol County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Rhode Island
Free Rhode Island forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Rhode Island.
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Last Will and Testament
In Rhode Island, a will is signed before 2R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-5-5Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-5-5Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Free
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Rhode Island allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-4.10-2Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
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Free
Financial Power of Attorney
Rhode Island requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityR.I. Gen. Laws § 18-16-2Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed before a notaryR.I. Gen. Laws § 18-16-2Verified Sep 20, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Rhode Island
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Rhode Island: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Rhode Island, four years at a public university cost about $116,656NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 17, 2026View source and the cost of living is near the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 17, 2026View source; the state levies an estate taxR.I. Gen. Laws § 44-22-1.1Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $1,838,056R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-22-1.1Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Rhode Island runs $3,850Estimate: 10 hours at $385, Clio's Rhode Island Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,775Estimate: 15 hours at $385, Clio's Rhode Island Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,146Estimate: 3 hours at $382, Clio's Rhode Island Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,292Estimate: 6 hours at $382, Clio's Rhode Island Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Rhode Island, descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesR.I. Gen. Laws §§ 33-1-1, 33-1-7, 33-1-10Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hoursR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-1-13Verified Oct 21, 2026View source to inherit.
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