How Much Does a Trustee Get Paid in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)R.I. Gen. Laws § 18-6-1Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
Rhode Island allows a trustee reasonable compensationR.I. Gen. Laws § 18-6-1Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, with no statutory schedule, so the amount turns on the type of trustee and the work. A family trustee typically takes 0% to 1% of trust assets a year, or waives the fee; a professional trustee 0.5% to 1.5%; a corporate trustee 1% to 2% with an annual minimum of about $5,000.
Yes. Trustee compensation is taxable income to the trustee. In Rhode Island, that means federal income tax and state income taxR.I. Gen. Laws § 44-30-2.6Verified Sep 20, 2026View source at up to 5.99%R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-30-2.6Verified Sep 20, 2026View source. A professional trustee also owes self-employment tax on it; a family trustee who is not in the business of serving reports it as other income. The trust deducts the payment as an administration expense.
Yes. A family member serving as trustee in Rhode Island is entitled to the same compensation as a professional. Many family trustees waive or reduce the fee, especially when they are also beneficiaries, since the fee is taxable income to the trustee while a distribution usually is not. A record of time and duties is what supports any fee taken if a beneficiary or a court asks.
A one-time fee fits a trust that distributes everything and closes, the way an executor is paid once for a probate. An annual fee fits a trust that continues for years, such as one holding assets for a minor child or a beneficiary with special needs. Which model applies follows the trust's purpose, not Rhode Island law. The Rhode Island executor fee calculator is the comparison for a one-time distribution.
The two roles differ in length: an executor handles a probate that runs 6 months to 18 months, while a trustee may manage assets for years. In Rhode Island, executor compensation is reasonable compensation set by the courtR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-8 (reasonable compensation as court considers just)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and trustee compensation is set by the trust document or a reasonable-compensation standardR.I. Gen. Laws § 18-6-1Verified Sep 18, 2026View source. A one-time trustee fee on a trust that distributes at once is often comparable to the executor fee on an estate of the same size.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Rhode Island
Free forms for settling an estate in Rhode Island: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Rhode Island
Free tools for settling an estate in Rhode Island: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Rhode Island happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteR.I. Gen. Laws Title 18, Chapter 18-4 (Powers of Fiduciaries); § 18-4-27 (validity of trusts)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Rhode Island, certified death certificates come from the Rhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital RecordsRhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $22Rhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $18Rhode Island Department of Health - Center for Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.
Do I Need Probate?
In Rhode Island, estates with personal property of $15,000R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Voluntary Informal AdministrationR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate.
How Do I Open a Trust Account at My Bank?
Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Rhode Island requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-30-2.6Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
After a death in Rhode Island, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $15,000R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 6 monthsR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-11-5(a) (claims presented within six months from the first publication); § 33-11-1 (the period is reckoned from the probate clerk's first publication of the notice of qualification of the personal representative)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.
Hire a Rhode Island Trust Administration Attorney
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Rhode Island Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Rhode Island probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.