Free Rhode Island Petition for Probate

How to open probate in Rhode Island: petition the Municipal Probate Court of the city or town where the decedent resided and request Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. R.I. Gen. Laws Title 33 — § 33-22-2.

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You & the Will

Rhode Island provides an official fillable petition; we complete it for you.

Opening probate?The whole estate, start to finish.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island Probate Petitions

In Rhode Island, you file a petition with Municipal Probate Court of the city or town where the decedent resided to open probate. The city/town probate court issues Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (no will) once the court grants the appointment. See how appointment works in Rhode Island.

You cannot fill out Letters — they are issued by the court. The document you prepare and file is the petition (or application) for probate and for Letters. This tool prepares that petition for Rhode Island.

Yes. Rhode Island publishes a statewide fillable form, which this tool completes for you. After downloading, review and sign it, then file it with Municipal Probate Court of the city or town where the decedent resided.

Rhode Island requires a bond by default before Letters issue, unless the will waives it. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 33-17-1 (conditions of bond), 33-17-1.2 (when surety not required), 33-17-3 (bond to pay debts and legacies), 33-17-4 (testamentary exemption from surety)

Rhode Island does not offer statewide probate e-filing; the petition is filed on paper with the court.

Along with the petition, Rhode Island typically requires: Certified copy of the death certificate; Original will and any codicils; List of surviving spouse and heirs at law; Appointment bond unless waived/exempted; Waiver or Advertising.

Opening Probate in Rhode Island

Before anyone can act for a Rhode Island estate, Municipal Probate Court of the city or town where the decedent resided must appoint a personal representative and issue Letters. Letters are the court's output — you can't fill them out. The document you file is the petition for probate and for Letters (R.I. Gen. Laws Title 33 — § 33-22-2).

Rhode Island publishes an official statewide petition form. This tool completes that form for you from a few questions about the decedent, the estate, and the heirs or beneficiaries. After downloading, you sign it and file it with the court in the county where the decedent lived.

You file the petition together with the supporting documents the court requires — typically a certified death certificate and, where there is a will, the original will. Rhode Island requires a bond before Letters issue unless it is waived by the will. The court reviews the petition and, if it is in order, grants it and directs that Letters issue.