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Will Contest Deadline in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, a person aggrieved by a probate court decree, such as one admitting a will, must file a claim of appeal to the superior court within 20 days after the decree is executed.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Rhode Island at a glance

Deadline to contest
20 days (appeal of probate decree)
Reasons of appeal must be filed in superior court within 30 days. The deadlines are jurisdictional.
Clock starts
Execution of the probate court's order or decree
Applies to appeals from probate court orders or decrees generally, including a decree admitting a will.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Rhode Island

How long do you have to contest a will in Rhode Island?

Deadline to contest in Rhode Island: 20 days (appeal of probate decree). Reasons of appeal must be filed in superior court within 30 days. The deadlines are jurisdictional.

When does the deadline to contest a will start in Rhode Island?

Clock starts in Rhode Island: Execution of the probate court's order or decree. Applies to appeals from probate court orders or decrees generally, including a decree admitting a will.

Where do the Rhode Island will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from R.I. Gen. Laws 33-23-1. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.