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Rhode Island Probate Attorney
Planning futures. Protecting legacies. Preserving peace of mind.
When someone dies, their estate usually has to pass through a Rhode Island probate court before anything can be distributed. If you have been named executor, or you are a family member trying to understand what happens next, we handle the process and the paperwork so you are not learning it alone.
What we take off your plate
The probate filing with the right city or town court
Notices to heirs and creditors, done correctly
Accounting, tax filings, and final distribution
35+
Years experience
1,000+
Case representations
100+
Businesses served
24/7
Available to you
Is this for you?
Who this is for, and what it does
This is for you if
You were named executor in a will
A relative died without a will and no one has been appointed
Assets are stuck in the deceased person's name
Heirs disagree about the estate
What it does
Gets you legally appointed to act for the estate
Identifies and values what the estate owns
Pays valid debts and taxes in the right order
Distributes what remains to the right people
How it works
From first conversation to signed documents
1
Appointment
We file the petition with the probate court in the city or town where the person lived, and you receive the authority to act.
2
Inventory
Every asset is identified and valued: accounts, real estate, vehicles, business interests, and anything held jointly or with a beneficiary.
3
Creditors & taxes
Notice runs for creditors, legitimate claims are paid, and estate and final income tax returns are filed.
4
Distribution
A final accounting is prepared, approved, and the estate is distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries and closed.
What we do for you
How Tarro Law will help you
A plain-English conversation first
You describe your family and what you own. We explain the options without jargon, and you decide.
Documents drafted for Rhode Island
Every document is written to Rhode Island's requirements, not adapted from a generic form.
Scope agreed before we start
You know exactly what is included before any work begins. No open-ended billing on planning work.
Signing done properly
Witnesses, notary, and execution handled so banks, hospitals, and courts accept the documents.
Reviewed as life changes
A marriage, a birth, a move, or a sale can change the plan. We tell you when it is time to revisit it.
Direct access to your attorney
Phone, email, and the client portal, with a lawyer who knows your file. Hablamos español.
Probate
What we prepare
The documents and steps that typically make up this work. Not every item applies to every client; we tell you which you need.
Petition for probate
Filed with the municipal probate court to open the estate.
Letters of appointment
Your legal authority to act as executor or administrator.
Estate inventory
The court-filed list and value of everything the estate owns.
Creditor notice
The published notice that starts the creditor claim period.
Tax filings
Final income tax and, where required, estate tax returns.
Final accounting
The record of what came in, what was paid, and what goes to whom.
Why it matters
Without a plan, and with one
Situation
Without a plan
With Tarro Law
Court
Rhode Island probate runs through each city and town's own probate court
We handle the local court, its forms, and its schedule
Timeline
Most estates take months; disputes or real estate add time
We keep deadlines moving and tell you what to expect
Personal liability
An executor can be personally liable for mistakes
Every step is done in the right order and documented
Family friction
Unclear communication breeds disputes
Heirs receive clear, consistent information
About the firm
Local roots in Providence. Statewide reach across Rhode Island.
Tarro Law Associates has spent more than 35 years helping Rhode Island families and business owners plan, protect, and pass on what they have built, from its office on Broadway in Providence. Clients work directly with their attorney, and our attorneys are licensed in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Florida.
No office visit is needed for most planning work:
Meet by phone or video, or in person in Providence
Review drafts and share documents through the secure client portal
Sign with the witnesses and notary Rhode Island requires, arranged by us
Common questions
Probate questions we hear first
Which court handles probate in Rhode Island?
The probate court of the city or town where the person lived. Rhode Island has no single statewide probate court; each municipality runs its own, with its own clerk, forms, and schedule.
Does every estate have to go through probate?
No. Assets held in a funded trust, jointly owned property with survivorship, and accounts with named beneficiaries pass outside probate. Rhode Island also has a simplified procedure for small estates. We tell you quickly which category the estate falls into.
How long does probate take?
A straightforward estate with no disputes commonly takes several months, driven largely by the creditor notice period and tax filings. Real estate, business interests, or family disagreements extend it.
I live out of state. Can I still serve as executor?
Usually, yes, though Rhode Island may require an in-state agent for service of process. We handle that requirement and most of the process can be done remotely.
What does the estate pay you?
Probate legal fees are typically paid from the estate, not by the executor personally. We explain the fee basis before we begin so there are no surprises for you or the heirs.
More ways we can help
Other services at Tarro Law
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Estate plans, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, and estate disputes.
Personal Injury
Crashes, falls, medical negligence, and catastrophic or fatal injuries across Rhode Island.
Fractional General Counsel
A dedicated business attorney on a month-to-month plan, for a set monthly fee.
Other estate planning services in Rhode Island
Next step
Make the Call™
Tell us about your family and what you own. We will explain what a plan would include, what it costs, and how long it takes. Someone answers 24/7.
Main office
Providence, RI
425 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
Serving
Every city and town in Rhode Island, and clients in Massachusetts and Florida.
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