How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division.

State Where the Person Lived

Where the Estate Stands

Letters have been issuedA small estate affidavitNothing has been filed

Property Held in This State

Rhode Island names 3 routes for a deceased owner's unclaimed property.

Where to search and file

Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division

Phone: 1-401-462-7676
Email: ups@treasury.ri.gov
Website: Search and claim →
Office: Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division, 50 Service Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886

Search is free at findrimoney.gov, which also takes claims online, shows claim status and accepts claim documents; findrimoney.com redirects to it.

The claimant's appointment as legal representative of the probated estate (letters testamentary or of administration)

For: The legal representative of a deceased owner whose estate was probated
Documents: The completed and signed claim form
A copy of photo identification
A copy of a legal document listing the claimant's Social Security number
The items the claim form attachment lists for the claim

Heir claim, with the documents the claim form attachment lists

For: The rightful heir of a deceased owner whose estate was not probated
Documents: The completed and signed claim form
A copy of photo identification
A copy of a legal document listing the claimant's Social Security number
The items the claim form attachment lists for the claim

Closed estate claim, with the documents the claim form attachment lists

For: A beneficiary or personal representative of a deceased owner whose estate was probated and the proceedings are closed
Documents: The completed and signed claim form
A copy of photo identification
A copy of a legal document listing the claimant's Social Security number
The items the claim form attachment lists for the claim

Notarization and finders

Notarization: The program states no notarization rule.
Finders: A finder's agreement made within 24 months after the property reaches the state is unenforceable. A later one must be in writing, signed by the owner, cap the fee at 10 percent, state the property's value and the owner's net share, and say the owner may claim from the Treasurer free of charge.

Federal and national databases

MissingMoney.com: The national database endorsed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators searches the participating states at once for free and links to each one's official program. Most states participate; a state that does not is searched on its own official site.
The Treasury (TreasuryDirect): Unredeemed savings bonds; claims are made on FS Form 1048, as the Treasury Hunt search was withdrawn
PBGC: Unclaimed pensions from terminated plans, searched at pbgc.gov
The IRS: Undelivered tax refunds
The FDIC: Unclaimed deposits and checks from failed banks, searched by name, business name or check number
The NCUA: Unclaimed share accounts at liquidated federally insured credit unions, listed by last name and first initialamacmail@ncua.gov
The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator: A deceased person's life insurance and annuities; a participating insurer contacts the beneficiary if it finds onehelp@naic.org
The VA: Unclaimed VA life insurance

Governing law: R.I. Gen. Laws Title 33, Chapter 33-21.1 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)

General information about claiming a deceased person's unclaimed property, not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions. Data verified Aug 24, 2026

File the claim with the Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division. The search and the claim start at the office's site. Claims are filed through findrimoney.gov, which states the documentation required for the specific property. Supporting documents are submitted through its Upload Claim Documentation page.

Under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, when a Rhode Island resident dies leaving only personal property (exclusive of tangible personal property) worth $15,000 or less and no petition for letters testamentary or letters of administration has been filed, a voluntary administrator may be appointed 30 days after the death.

Under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, or other interested party who is of full age and legal capacity and a Rhode Island resident may file a sworn statement with the probate court to be appointed voluntary administrator. With letters from a probate court, the claim is made by the legal representative of a deceased owner whose estate was probated.

Every state where the person had an address can hold some of the property: the holding company reports it to the state of the owner's last-known address, and to its own home state where it has no address on record. MissingMoney.com searches most states at once. Insurance, savings bonds, pensions, refunds and failed-bank deposits sit in federal and national databases: the Treasury (TreasuryDirect), PBGC, the IRS, the FDIC, the NCUA, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator and the VA.

A finder's agreement made within 24 months after the property reaches the state is unenforceable. A later one must be in writing, signed by the owner, cap the fee at 10 percent, state the property's value and the owner's net share, and say the owner may claim from the Treasurer free of charge. The same property can be claimed directly through the state's own program, which charges no fee.

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Free tools for settling an estate in Rhode Island: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Rhode Island pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

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In Rhode Island, informal probate is not available, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.

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How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?

In Rhode Island, the City or town probate court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration once the Municipal Probate Court of the city or town where the decedent resided appoints the personal representative; every appointment goes through the court.

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In Rhode Island, creditors have 6 months from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.

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What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

When an estate owes more than it holds, Rhode Island pays the claims in 9 classes in statutory order, beginning with necessary funeral charges.

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How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island names 3 routes for a deceased owner's unclaimed property.

Where to search and file

The claimant's appointment as legal representative of the probated estate (letters testamentary or of administration)findrimoney.gov claim text (claimant relationships, electronic signature)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source

Heir claim, with the documents the claim form attachment listsfindrimoney.gov claim text (claimant relationships, electronic signature)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source

Closed estate claim, with the documents the claim form attachment listsfindrimoney.gov claim text (claimant relationships, electronic signature)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source

Notarization and finders

Federal and national databases

Is this your situation?

Named as Executor

Death of a Parent

Inheritance

Forms for Settling an Estate in Rhode Island

Petition for Probate and Letters

Notice to Creditors

Renunciation of Executor

Affidavit of Heirship

Small Estate Affidavit

Estate Inventory

Estate Closing

IRS Form 1310

Tools for Settling an Estate in Rhode Island

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Can I Self-File Probate?

How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

What Social Security Survivor Benefits Can I Get?

Hire a Rhode Island Probate Attorney

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Rhode Island Estate Settlement Resources

Rhode Island names 3 routes for a deceased owner's unclaimed property.

Where to search and file

The claimant's appointment as legal representative of the probated estate (letters testamentary or of administration)findrimoney.gov claim text (claimant relationships, electronic signature)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source

Heir claim, with the documents the claim form attachment listsfindrimoney.gov claim text (claimant relationships, electronic signature)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source

Closed estate claim, with the documents the claim form attachment listsfindrimoney.gov claim text (claimant relationships, electronic signature)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source

Notarization and finders

Federal and national databases

The claimant's appointment as legal representative of the probated estate (letters testamentary or of administration)

Heir claim, with the documents the claim form attachment lists

Closed estate claim, with the documents the claim form attachment lists

The claimant's appointment as legal representative of the probated estate (letters testamentary or of administration)

Heir claim, with the documents the claim form attachment lists

Closed estate claim, with the documents the claim form attachment lists