Rhode Island Divorce Laws

Rhode Island divorce laws for people considering a Rhode Island divorce or filing a Rhode Island divorce with issues to be resolved about child custody, child support, visitation and alimony.   Rhode Island statutes can be viewed at http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/. Statutes cover but are not limited to the following subjects:

•Divorce Definitions

•Divorce Residency Requirements

•Grounds for Divorce

•Uncontested Divorce

•Simplified Divorce Process

•Military Divorce Laws

•Child Custody

•Child Support Considerations

•Child Support Definitions

•Child Support Guidelines

•Spousal Support, Maintenance, and Alimony guidelines

•Property Division Considerations

•Grandparents’ Rights

Rhode Island Divorce Definitions

These definitions will help you understand some unique characteristics to the Rhode Island Divorce laws, process and paperwork which is filed with the court.

Filing Party Title: Plaintiff -The spouse who will initiate the Divorce by filing the required paperwork with the court.

Non-Filing Party Title: Defendant -The spouse who does not initiate the Divorce with the court.

Court Name: State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Family Court, ____ Division -The proper name of the court in which a Divorce is filed in the state of Rhode Island. Each jurisdictional court typically has a domestic relations or a family law department or division.

Child Support Enforcement Website:
http://www.childsupportliens.com/RI/index.html -The state run office devoted to enforcing existing child support orders and collecting any past due child support.

Document Introduction: In Re the Marriage of: The lead-in verbiage used in the legal caption or header of the documents filed with the court. The introduction typically prefaces both spouse’s names.

Initial Divorce Document: Complaint for Divorce -The title and name of the legal document that will initiate the Rhode Island Divorce process. The filing spouse is also required to provide the non-filing spouse a copy of this document.

Final Divorce Document: Judgment of Divorce -The title and name of the legal document that will finalize the Rhode Island Divorce process. This document will be signed by the judge, master, or referee of the court to declare your marriage officially terminated.

Clerk’s Office Name: County Clerk’s Office of the Family Court -The office of the clerk that will facilitate the Divorce process. This is the title you would address letters to or ask for when contacting the courthouse.

Legal Separation: Legal separation (or divorce from bed and board) may be granted for the same grounds as that required for a divorce. The spouse seeking legal separation must have been a resident for a period of time that the court deems proper. [General Laws of Rhode Island; Title 15, Chapters 15-5-1, 15-5-2, 15-5-3, 15-5-5, and 15-5-9 and Rhode Island Case Law].

Property Distribution: Equitable Distribution -The applicable Rhode Island law that will dictate how property and debt is to be divided upon Divorce.

Rhode Island Divorce Resources -

Rhode Island Specific Divorce Overview

Rhode Island Specific Divorce Articles -

Rhode Island Specific Divorce Documents -

Rhode Island Specific Divorce Professionals -