Free Rhode Island Lady Bird Deed

In Rhode Island, no statute authorizes a transfer on death deed; a Lady Bird deed is recognized by statute: the owner keeps a life estate and the power to sell or convey the property without the grantee.

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The owner of the property, named as on the current deed. Rhode Island recognizes the deed by statute (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-4-2.1).

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Yes. Rhode Island recognizes the deed by statute, under the name “reservation of life estate with enhanced powers”. The statute: A grantor may convey title to real estate and reserve a life estate therein, coupled with the reserved power and authority, during his or her lifetime, to sell, convey, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of the real property without the consent or joinder by the holder(s) of the remainder interest. The owner conveys the property now while keeping a life estate and the power to convey the whole during life, so the grantee's remainder follows the owner's death only if the owner has not conveyed the property.

A life estate in the property and the power to sell or convey the property without the grantee, in the words of the authority that recognizes the deed. The grantee's consent is not needed for an exercise of the reserved powers.

The deed is acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer. It is recorded with the records of land evidence in the town or city where the lands, tenements or hereditaments are situated. Recording is what makes the deed effective against purchasers and creditors.

The deed is subject to the transfer tax on recording. The county recording office collects its recording fee per page in every case; the prepared packet prints the office's fee schedule.

The deed's own terms govern the owner's death: if the property was not conveyed during life, the grantee holds it in fee simple, free of the life estate. No court proceeding is named in the authority that recognizes the deed; the land records show the owner's deed and, where the state uses one, a recorded affidavit of the owner's death.

The Lady Bird Deed in Rhode Island

A Lady Bird deed conveys real property now while the owner keeps a life estate and the power to convey the whole during life, so the grantee's remainder follows the owner's death only if the property was not conveyed. Rhode Island recognizes the deed by statute, under the name “reservation of life estate with enhanced powers”. The statute's words: A grantor may convey title to real estate and reserve a life estate therein, coupled with the reserved power and authority, during his or her lifetime, to sell, convey, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of the real property without the consent or joinder by the holder(s) of the remainder interest.

What the owner keeps, in the words of the authority that recognizes the deed: a life estate and the power to sell or convey the property without the grantee. The grantee's consent is not needed for an exercise of the reserved powers.

The deed is acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer. It is recorded with the records of land evidence in the town or city where the lands, tenements or hereditaments are situated, in the county where the land lies. Recording is what makes the deed effective against purchasers and creditors.

On recording, the deed is subject to the transfer tax on recording.

At the owner's death, if the property was not conveyed during life, the grantee holds it in fee simple, free of the life estate and the reserved powers, by the deed's own terms.

In short: Rhode Island recognizes the deed by statute: an owner may convey real estate and reserve a life estate with the power to sell, convey, mortgage or otherwise dispose of it during life without the consent or joinder of the remainder holders. A deed is signed, acknowledged and recorded in the land evidence records of the town or city where the land lies. Rhode Island has no transfer on death deed for real property.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 23, 2026

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Data sourced from Rhode Island statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Free Rhode Island Lady Bird Deed

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The Lady Bird Deed in Rhode Island

The deed is acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer. It is recorded with the records of land evidence in the town or city where the lands, tenements or hereditaments are situated, in the county where the land lies. Recording is what makes the deed effective against purchasers and creditors.

On recording, the deed is subject to the transfer tax on recording.

At the owner's death, if the property was not conveyed during life, the grantee holds it in fee simple, free of the life estate and the reserved powers, by the deed's own terms.

Free Rhode Island Lady Bird Deed

Your Information

Is this your situation?

New Home

Retirement

Forms for Planning Your Estate in Rhode Island

Healthcare Power of Attorney

HIPAA Release

Financial Power of Attorney

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Last Will and Testament

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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

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How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

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How Much Does Probate Cost?

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Free Rhode Island Lady Bird Deed

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