The Rhode Island Notice of Commencement of Probate is a legal document that is used to initiate the probate process in Rhode Island. This document is the first step in the probate process and is used to provide the public with notice that the estate of a deceased individual is being probated in Rhode Island. The Notice of Commencement of Probate must be filed with the Probate Court of Rhode Island in order for the probate process to begin. The Notice of Commencement of Probate includes information such as the decedent's name, date of death, and the address of the probate court in which the estate is being probated. It also includes the name and address of the personal representative of the estate, which is the individual who is responsible for administering the probate process. There are two types of Rhode Island Notice of Commencement of Probate: a Notice of Probate of Will and a Notice of Probate of an intestacy. The Notice of Probate of Will is used when a decedent has left a valid will that is being probated. The Notice of Probate of an intestacy is used when a decedent has died without a valid will and the estate is being administered under Rhode Island's intestate succession laws.