Short answer. Up to $15,000; 30 days after the death; sworn; through a court office.
At a glance
- Limit
- An estate made up entirely of personal property worth $15,000 or less, not counting tangible personal property.
- Wait after death
- After 30 days from the death, if no petition for letters has been filed.
- Notary
- The statement is verified by oath or affirmation.
- Where it goes
- Filed with the probate court on the court's form.
- Official form
- Set by each probate court (Providence Probate Court: Petition for Voluntary Informal Administration). The statute has the statement filed on a form prescribed by the court, and Rhode Island's probate courts are run by each city or town; Providence's form cites 33-24-1, is sworn and has a notary block. Set by your probate court; ask the clerk. Open it
- Simplified procedure
- Small estate statement (voluntary administration). A verified statement filed with the probate court lets the affiant collect and pay out a small personal-property estate.
- Surviving spouse
- The surviving spouse may file, and after debts and expenses the balance goes to the surviving spouse first.
In the official wording
Limit
"does not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) in value"
Wait
"after the expiration of thirty (30) days from the death of the decedent"
Notary
"a statement, verified by oath or affirmation"
Where it goes
"file with said probate court upon a form prescribed by the court"
Spouse
"to the surviving spouse, or, if there is no surviving spouse"
Get it notarized online today
Online notary: open now until 9 PM ET · sessions by appointment · times confirmed by email
A New Jersey notary can notarize this with you on a video call, wherever you are in the U.S. $50 for the session, $10 for each extra signer. Any other fee shows in the booking form before you confirm. Open 7 am to 9 pm ET, every day, by appointment.
What you need
- A valid government photo ID
- A computer or phone with a camera
- The unsigned document
Our certificate states the act was performed using communication technology, as New Jersey law requires. What it must say
Most U.S. recipients accept a remotely notarized document; check with whoever will receive it. What to ask them · Several signers
Three example estates
For a death on November 13, 2025, the stated limit gives:
- $3,800: under the stated limit. See why
- $13,500: under the stated limit. See why
- $22,500: over the stated limit. See why
Your own numbers: open the checker for this state.
Where an affidavit has to be notarized or sworn: MCC Solutions notarizes in New Jersey, with a mobile notary who comes to you and remote online notarization. Elsewhere, a local notary can help. Family far from the estate? Our estate paperwork help sends a local runner or notary to order records, pick up papers and get the affidavit signed, in any state.
Official sources
- R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1, Small estates (Rhode Island General Assembly) (checked November 2026)
- Providence Probate Court: Petition for Voluntary Informal Administration (PDF) (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Each holder may still ask for its own form, and a lawyer can confirm whether the estate qualifies.
Common questions
What is the small estate limit in Rhode Island?
Up to $15,000. An estate made up entirely of personal property worth $15,000 or less, not counting tangible personal property.
How long after a death can the Rhode Island affidavit be used?
30 days. After 30 days from the death, if no petition for letters has been filed.
Does a Rhode Island small estate affidavit need a notary?
It must be sworn. The statement is verified by oath or affirmation.
Is it filed with a court in Rhode Island?
Yes. Filed with the probate court on the court's form.
Can real estate pass this way in Rhode Island?
Owning it rules the procedure out.
Is there anything for a surviving spouse in Rhode Island?
The surviving spouse may file, and after debts and expenses the balance goes to the surviving spouse first.
All states: small estate affidavit by state · Ohio · Tennessee · Small estate affidavit: signing and notary checks