Rhode Island § 33-9-18 - Collection and Management of Decedents’ Estates

§ 33-9-18. Authority to lend, invest, vote, and protect investments.

(a) The superior court may, upon complaint filed by an executor or administrator, authorize the executor or administrator to invest money belonging to the estate in such safe investments as it may approve, and may likewise authorize or direct the executor or administrator to vote the stock or shares belonging to the estate in any corporation, association, or joint stock company in such manner and for such purposes as the court may deem advisable; and if it shall in the court’s opinion be in the interest of the estate so to do, the court may authorize the executor or administrator:

(1) To lend money belonging to the estate to any corporation, association, or joint stock company, in the stock, shares, or obligations of which any portion of the estate may be invested, or in which the estate may be otherwise interested;

(2) To invest money belonging to the estate in the stock, shares, or other obligations of any such corporation, association, or joint stock company;

(3) To endorse or guarantee the obligations of the corporation, association, or joint stock company.

(b) In granting the authority, the court may impose such conditions or restrictions and give such directions as it may deem advisable.

(c) The superior court may, upon any complaint, approve any investment, loan, endorsement, guaranty, or vote previously made or given by an executor or administrator which the court might have authorized, and the approval shall have the same effect as a prior order or decree authorizing the investment, loan, endorsement, guaranty, or vote. Any endorsement or guaranty shall be binding upon the estate, and shall not be binding upon the executor or administrator personally.

(d) The powers herein conferred upon the superior court may be exercised in cases where the court deems it necessary for the protection or preservation of the estate or to prevent irreparable damage or loss to the estate, notwithstanding any provisions or directions contained in a will authorizing or restricting the powers of an executor or administrator with the will annexed to invest or lend money of the estate, to endorse or guarantee obligations, or to vote the stock or shares belonging to the estate in any corporation, association, or joint stock company; provided, however, that the court shall exercise these powers with extreme caution and shall not exercise these powers in cases where the testator has in the will expressly declared or requested that the powers shall not be exercised by the court.