Rhode Island § 33-7-5 - Custody and Probate of Wills

§ 33-7-5. Duty of person in possession of will to deliver into court.

(a) Every person, other than a probate clerk, who has custody of a will shall, within thirty (30) days after notice of the death of the testator, deliver the will into the probate court which has jurisdiction of the probate thereof, or to the executors named in the will, who shall themselves deliver it into court within thirty (30) days after they receive the will; and if any executor or other person neglects, without reasonable cause, to deliver a will, after being duly cited for that purpose by the court, he or she may be adjudged to be in contempt and may be committed therefor to the adult correctional institutions and shall remain there until he or she delivers the will to the court; and he or she shall be further liable, to any party aggrieved, for the damage sustained by reason of the neglect.

(b) Provided further, that a fiduciary nominated in a will may deliver such will to the probate court with an affidavit containing the following information, representations, and documentation:

(1) The date of death of the decedent accompanied by a certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate;

(2) A representative that the funeral bill of the decedent has been paid, accompanied by a receipt therefor;

(3) The names and addresses of the heirs-at-law of the decedent at the decedent’s date of death; and

(4) A representation that the affiant has received no notice of the issuance of letters testamentary or letters of administration regarding the estate of the decedent, and that there are no assets of the decedent subject to probate. Upon receipt of such will and affidavit the probate clerk, upon being paid a fee of thirty dollars ($30.00), shall receive and keep the will and accompanying affidavit and shall give a receipt of the deposit thereof.