Rhode Island Small Estate Affidavit Form

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Rhode Island Small Estate Affidavit Form

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Last updated March 24th, 2026

A Rhode Island small estate affidavit is used to appoint an individual to settle a decedent’s estate without probate. The form, called a “Petition for Voluntary Informal Administrator,” requests the court to allow the individual to handle the estate’s distribution, avoiding the typically time-consuming and costly probate process. 

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A Rhode Island small estate affidavit is used to appoint an individual to settle a decedent’s estate without probate. The form, called a “Petition for Voluntary Informal Administrator,” requests the court to allow the individual to handle the estate’s distribution, avoiding the typically time-consuming and costly probate process. 

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Laws

  • Maximum Estate Value: $15,000 (excluding tangible personal property)[1]
  • Mandatory Waiting Period: 30 days[2]
  • Where to File: Probate Court[3]

How to File (4 Steps)

Step 1 – Petition Requirements

A Petition for Voluntary Informal Administrator (Form PC-1.10) can only be used if[4]:

  • The decedent has been deceased for 30 days.
  • The decedent did not own real estate.
  • The total estate value, excluding tangible personal property, is $15,000 or less.
  • The affiant is a Rhode Island resident.
  • No Petition for Probate of the Will, petition for letters testamentary, or letters of administration are filed in the city/town where the decedent resided.

Step 2 – File Petition

The Petition and death certificate must be filed in the probate court of the city or town where the decedent lived.[5] If the affiant is the executor named in the will, the will and Petition for Voluntary Informal Executor (Form PC-1.9) are filed instead.[6] The clerk will then issue a Certification of Appointment. Fees apply to filing a Petition and obtaining a Certification.[7]

Step 3 – Collect Assets

The voluntary administrator or executor can present a copy of the Certification to collect the assets listed in the Petition from individuals or entities holding them.[8] Tangible and intangible property, such as money, accounts, stocks, and bonds, may be collected in this manner.

Step 4 – Settle Estate

The voluntary administrator or executor must settle the estate in the following order[9]:

  1. Funeral, medical, administration, and other estate expenses.
  2. The decedent’s debts.
  3. Distribution to surviving spouse or other heirs (or as indicated in will, if applicable).

Sources

  1. § 33-24-1(a)
  2. § 33-24-1(a)
  3. § 33-24-1(a) & (b)
  4. § 33-24-1(a)
  5. § 33-24-1(a) & (b)
  6. § 33-24-2(a) & (b)
  7. §§ 33-24-1(b), 33-24-2(b)
  8. § 33-24-1(c)
  9. § 33-24-1(e)