Rhode Island § 33-11-4 - Claims Against Decedents’ Estates

§ 33-11-4. Manner of presentation of claims.

Claims against a decedent’s estate may be presented as follows:

(1) The claimant shall present a written statement of the claim with the clerk of the probate court indicating its basis, the amount claimed (if known), the name and address of the claimant, and the name and address of the claimant’s attorney (if any) and deliver or mail a copy thereof to the personal representative. The claim is deemed presented when filed with the probate court. The claimant has the burden of establishing proper and timely presentation of the claim. If the claim is not yet due, the date when it will become due shall be stated. If the claim is contingent or unliquidated, the nature of the condition or uncertainty shall be stated. If the claim is secured, the security shall be described. Failure to accurately describe the due date of claim not yet due, the nature of any condition or uncertainty, or the security, does not invalidate the presentation made.

(2) No presentation of claim is required for matters already claimed in proceedings which were pending against the decedent at the time of his or her death. No personal representative shall be held to defend and no decedent’s estate shall be held liable for any claim pending against the decedent until the estate shall be joined as a party with notice to the probate court and the personal representative served.