Highlight In Legal Rhode Island Small Estates Forms For Free

A Rhode Island small estate affidavit is a form that can be used to speed the distribution of assets in certain estates. Any estate that is valued at less than $15,000 is considered a small estate. This helps avoid the long and costly process of traditional probate.

What Are Rhode Island's Small Estate Laws? If a person dies with less than $15,000 of personal property, probate may be shortened under the "small estate" provision.

Yes. You can make your own will in Rhode Island and do not need an attorney if you have a simple estate and know your wishes. Because a will is a legal document, it's important to create it correctly, conforming with state law.

In Rhode Island this means: If you die with surviving children, but no surviving spouse, your children will inherit everything. If you die with a surviving spouse, but no surviving children, your spouse will inherit up to $75,000 of your real estate and the right to use your real estate for the rest of his or her life.

If a person dies with less than $15,000 of personal property, probate may be shortened under the "small estate" provision. The executor of the estate will have to file the necessary forms with the probate court, but the waiting time for the closure of these estates is typically much shorter and far less costly.

In Rhode Island, you can make a living trust to avoid probate for virtually any asset you own?real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and so on. You need to create a trust document (it's similar to a will), naming someone to take over as trustee after your death (called a successor trustee).