Will Requirements in Rhode Island
A Rhode Island will must be signed or acknowledged before two witnesses present at the same time, and an affidavit of the witnesses can prove the will without testimony if no one objects.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Rhode Island at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Limited cases only
- Only for a limited group, such as members of the armed forces or mariners
The rules in Rhode Island
How many witnesses does a will need in Rhode Island?
A will in Rhode Island must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Rhode Island?
Only in limited cases. Rhode Island allows unwitnessed wills only for a limited group, such as members of the armed forces or mariners.
Where do the Rhode Island rules for wills come from?
They come from R.I. Gen. Laws 33-5-5, R.I. Gen. Laws 33-5-6 and R.I. Gen. Laws 33-7-26. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
What this means in practice
Sign the will in front of all the witnesses at the same time and have them sign right after you. Many people choose adult witnesses who receive nothing under the will, which avoids questions later.
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where it is. A copy is usually not enough to probate a will.
Changing a will later takes the same formalities: sign a codicil or a new will with witnesses, rather than writing changes on the original.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.