Bardorf & Bardorf practices on Washington Square in downtown Newport and serves clients across Rhode Island. Its probate and estate administration work covers executors and personal representatives, successor trustee duties, will contests, and dispute resolution, alongside wills and trusts. The firm has served Rhode Island since 1965.
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 →
Probate Litigation Firms Serving Bristol County
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.
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.
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 7 Rhode Island probate litigation 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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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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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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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 Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Rhode Island costs an estimated $28,582R.I. Gen. Laws (no statutory schedule; court discretion applies)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.1%Modeled estimate under R.I. Gen. Laws (no statutory schedule; court discretion applies): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.4%Modeled estimate under R.I. Gen. Laws (no statutory schedule; court discretion applies): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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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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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Rhode Island, creditors have 6 monthsR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-11-5(a) (six months from the first publication); § 33-11-1 (the probate clerk's first publication of the notice of qualification)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Rhode Island: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysR.I. Gen. Laws §§ 33-9-1, 33-9-4Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsR.I. Gen. Laws §§ 33-11-4, 33-11-5, 33-11-5.1, 33-11-5.2, 33-12-11, 33-18-1Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Rhode Island pays executors reasonable compensationR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-8 (reasonable compensation as court considers just)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
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