How much does probate cost in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island sets no statutory percentage for the executor - R.I. Gen. Laws 33-14-8 allows such compensation as the probate court considers just, reported around 2%-4% of estate value in practice. Attorney fees also have no schedule, often $3,000-$6,000 for a straightforward estate. Rhode Island is unique in having 39 separate municipal probate courts, one for each city and town, each with its own filing fees. Separately, Rhode Island has its own state estate tax above a $1.84 million exemption, indexed annually for inflation.

What is the executor fee in Rhode Island?

Under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-14-8, an executor or administrator is allowed in their accounts such compensation for services as the probate court considers just - using the word 'just' rather than 'reasonable,' with no percentage or factor list in the statute. The fee is approved as a line item within the executor's accounting rather than through a separate fee petition. Reported figures often run 2%-4% of estate value.

Does Rhode Island have an estate or inheritance tax?

Rhode Island has no inheritance tax, but it does have its own state estate tax, separate from the federal estate tax. The exemption is indexed annually for inflation and is one of the lowest of any state. Rates are graduated up to 16%. Rhode Island does not allow portability between spouses, and every estate, regardless of size, must file Form RI-706.

Rhode Island Probate Cost Calculator

Q: What is Rhode Island's small estate procedure?

Rhode Island's small estate process (R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1) applies when an estate consists entirely of personal property worth $15,000 or less, available 30 days after death. Unlike a pure affidavit that bypasses court entirely, it still goes through the municipal probate court as a simplified filing rather than a full administration.

Q: How long does probate take in Rhode Island?

Simple estates commonly close in 6 to 9 months, driven by the 6-month creditor claim period from first publication. Complex or contested estates routinely take one to two years or longer.

How probate costs work in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is structurally unlike any other state in this series: it has 39 separate municipal probate courts, one for each city and town, rather than a single county-level system. Each has its own filing fees, bond practices, and local forms — what works in Cranston may differ from Bristol. Executor compensation isn't called "reasonable" here, but "just" — a distinctive statutory word choice.

1. Executor fee — "just" compensation, approved within the accounting

R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-8: an executor or administrator is allowed in their accounts "such compensation for their services as the probate court shall consider just." No percentage, no schedule, no listed factors. Unusually, the fee isn't argued through a separate fee petition — it's approved as a line item within the executor's periodic or final accounting.

Reported Rhode Island executor fees often land in a rough 2%–4% range of estate value in practice, but that's a market pattern, not a legal rate — any figure shown here is an illustrative estimate. Family executors frequently waive the fee.

2. Attorney fee — also no schedule

No fixed schedule: Rhode Island probate attorneys typically bill $250–$450 per hour, or a flat $2,500–$7,500 for an uncontested estate. Reported totals often run $3,000–$6,000 for straightforward probate and $6,000–$15,000 or more for complex or contested proceedings.

3. Court & other costs

Filing fee — varies by the 39 individual municipal probate courts; there is no single statewide fee.
Publication to creditors — newspaper notice, three consecutive weeks; creditors have a 6-month window from first publication.
Bond — generally required unless waived.
Appraisal, certified copies — small additional costs.

4. Rhode Island's own estate tax — one of the lowest exemptions in the country

R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-22-1.1: Rhode Island levies its own state estate tax, separate from the federal estate tax. The exemption is $1,838,056 per decedent, indexed annually for inflation — one of the lowest state exemptions in the country. Rates are graduated up to 16%. Rhode Island allows no portability between spouses. Unusually, every estate must file Form RI-706 regardless of size, if only to show no tax is due. This calculator does not compute the estate tax; get a dedicated estimate if your estate approaches the exemption.

5. When probate can be simplified in Rhode Island

Small estate procedure (R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1) — personal property only, $15,000 or less, 30 days after death. Unlike a pure affidavit, it still goes through the municipal probate court, just as a simplified filing rather than full administration.

Cost component	Rhode Island figure	Source
Executor fee	"Just" compensation; no set % (often waived)	§ 33-14-8
Attorney fee	Reasonable; ~2%–4% reported	No statute
Probate court filing fee	Varies by 1 of 39 municipal courts	Local probate court
Small estate procedure	$15,000 (personal property)	§ 33-24-1
State inheritance tax	None	RI Division of Taxation
State estate tax	Up to 16% above $1,838,056	§ 44-22-1.1

Rhode Island probate cost — frequently asked questions

How much does probate cost in Providence?

The "just compensation" standard and the estate tax rules are statewide; only the local municipal probate court's own filing fee and practice differ. In Providence or any of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns, a $300,000 estate might see an executor fee and an attorney fee each in a rough 2%–4% market range (family executors often waive theirs), plus a local filing fee and publication costs.

Why does Rhode Island have 39 probate courts?

Rhode Island never centralized probate at the county level — each of its 39 cities and towns runs its own municipal probate court, with its own filing fees, bond practices, hearing schedules, and local forms. It's one of the most decentralized probate systems in the country; practical steps can differ noticeably between, say, Cranston and Bristol.

Is the $1.84 million estate tax the same as probate cost?

No. Probate cost — the executor fee, attorney fee, and court costs — applies to essentially every probated estate. Rhode Island's separate state estate tax only applies above the $1,838,056 exemption, though unusually every estate must still file Form RI-706 to document that. It's independent of the probate administration costs this calculator estimates.

What is Rhode Island's small estate procedure?

Under § 33-24-1, an estate consisting entirely of personal property worth $15,000 or less can use a simplified process 30 days after death. Unlike a pure out-of-court affidavit used in many other states, it's still filed with the local municipal probate court, just without a full administration.

How long does probate take in Rhode Island?

Simple estates commonly close in 6–9 months, driven by the 6-month creditor claim period from first publication. Complex or contested estates routinely take one to two years or longer.

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rhode Island sets no statutory percentage for the executor fee (R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-8, "just" compensation) or the attorney fee. Figures shown here are illustrative estimates, not statutory rates. This tool does not compute Rhode Island's separate state estate tax (§ 44-22-1.1, up to 16% above a $1,838,056 exemption, indexed annually); estates near or above that threshold should get a dedicated estimate. The small estate procedure limit is $15,000 of personal property (§ 33-24-1). Confirm current figures with your municipal probate court or a licensed Rhode Island attorney before acting.