Does Rhode Island Allow Transfer on Death Deeds?
Rhode Island does not authorize transfer on death deeds. 3 alternatives are available to transfer real property at death without probate.
Why TOD deeds aren't available in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has not adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act or any TOD deed statute. No authority exists in R.I. Gen. Laws Title 34 (Property) or Title 33 (Probate Practice and Procedure). The state’s only transfer-on-death statute, the Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 7-11.1), covers securities registration, not real property.
Rhode Island S 2027 (2024) was passed by the Senate on 03/21/2024 and referred to House Judiciary on 03/22/2024, where it died with no further action. S 0141 (2025, Sen. Euer) was introduced 01/31/2025 and referred to Senate Judiciary, with no further recorded action. In the 2026 session, two URPTODA companion bills were introduced: H 7284 (introduced 01/23/2026; House Judiciary recommended it be held for further study on 03/26/2026) and S 2050 (introduced 01/09/2026; Senate Judiciary recommended passage 06/02/2026 and the Senate passed it as amended on 06/09/2026). S 2050 received no House action, was never transmitted to or signed by the Governor, and has shown no movement since the House last sat on 06/11/2026. No TOD deed statute has been enacted; the only 2026 probate-related chapters are the Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Act (S 2394 ch. 207 and H 7210 ch. 206). Rhode Island’s Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 7-11.1) applies to securities registration only and is not TOD deed authority.
Alternatives for Rhode Island
These mechanisms transfer real property at death without probate in Rhode Island:
- •
- •Joint tenancy with right of survivorship
- •Tenancy by the entirety (married couples)
Consult a licensed attorney for help choosing the right mechanism for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Rhode Island has not adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act or any TOD deed statute. No authority exists in R.I. Gen. Laws Title 34 (Property) or Title 33 (Probate Practice and Procedure). The state’s only transfer-on-death statute, the Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 7-11.1), covers securities registration, not real property.
Rhode Island recognizes 3 alternatives for transferring real property outside of probate: Revocable living trust; Joint tenancy with right of survivorship; Tenancy by the entirety (married couples).
No. Real property transfers are governed by the state where the property is located. A TOD deed signed under another state's law has no effect on real property in Rhode Island.
Not currently. The most recent bill, S 2050 (2026 Session), failed: Passed the Senate as amended June 9, 2026; received no House action before the House recessed on June 11, 2026, and was never transmitted to the Governor. No TOD deed bill is pending.