Rhode Island § 33-1-2 - Rules of Descent
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 33-1-2 — Rules of Descent, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 33-1-2. Rules of Descent
R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-1-2
§ 33-1-2. Descent of real estate to paternal or maternal kindred.
If the intestate has no surviving parent, nor brother, nor sister, nor their descendants, the inheritance shall go in equal moieties to the intestate’s paternal and maternal kindred, each in the following course:
(1) First to the grandparents, in equal shares, if any there be.
(2) Second, if there be no grandparent, then to the uncles and aunts, or their descendants by representation, or such of them as there be.
(3) Third, if there be no grandparent, nor uncle, nor aunt, nor their descendants, then to the great grandparents in equal shares, if any there be.
(4) Fourth, if there be no great grandparent, then to the great uncles and great aunts or their descendants by representation, or such of them as there be; and so on, in other cases, without end, passing to the nearest lineal ancestors and their descendants or such of them as there be.
History of Section.
C.P.A. 1905, § 934; G.L. 1909, ch. 316, § 2; P.L. 1913, ch. 924, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch.
367, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 567, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 33-1-2; P.L. 2014, ch. 260, § 1; P.L.
2014, ch. 312, § 1.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 33-1-2
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 33-1-2 cover?
Section 33-1-2 ("Rules of Descent") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 33-1-2?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 33-1-2" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 33-1-2 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.