§ 8-9-2.1 Probate judges – Qualifications
§ 8-9-2.2 New Shoreham town council as probate court
§ 8-9-2.3 Probate judge in town where council sits as probate court
§ 8-9-3 Providence probate court
§ 8-9-4 Election and powers of probate judge
§ 8-9-5 Disqualification or inability of probate judge
§ 8-9-6 Town or city clerk as clerk of court
§ 8-9-7 Duties of probate clerk
§ 8-9-8 Clerk pro tempore in absence of probate clerk
§ 8-9-9 General probate jurisdiction
§ 8-9-10 Appointment and supervision of temporary custodians of decedents’ estates
§ 8-9-11 Power to take probate and grant administration of decedents’ estates
§ 8-9-12 Payment of legacies
§ 8-9-13 Revocation or modification of warrants and commissions
§ 8-9-14 Revocation or modification of orders or decrees
§ 8-9-15 Annulment of probate of will
§ 8-9-16 Confirmation of prior acts and proceedings
§ 8-9-17 Power to summon and receive evidence
§ 8-9-17.1 Subpoenas issued by other officials
§ 8-9-18 Judicial aid in taking possession of property of estates
§ 8-9-19 Expense of commitment for failure to deliver property of estate
§ 8-9-20 Right to counsel of person suspected of withholding property
§ 8-9-21 Contempt of court – Habeas corpus
§ 8-9-22 Presumption of death from sea disaster
§ 8-9-23 Missing person – Presumption of death
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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Dower: A widow
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Interrogatories: Written questions asked by one party of an opposing party, who must answer them in writing under oath; a discovery device in a lawsuit.
  • Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
  • real estate: may be construed to include lands, tenements, and hereditaments and rights thereto and interests therein. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-10
  • seal: shall be construed to include an impression of the seal made with or without the use of wax or wafer on the paper. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-15
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Subpoena duces tecum: A command to a witness to produce documents.
  • Testate: To die leaving a will.
  • Testator: A male person who leaves a will at death.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9
  • town council: include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
  • United States: include the several states and the territories of the United States. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-8