Does Rhode Island allow a transfer on death deed?
No. Rhode Island has no transfer on death deed law for real estate. Last checked .
Rhode Island at a glance
- TOD deed for real estate
- No
How a house passes in Rhode Island without a TOD deed
- Small-estate affidavit cap. $15,000
- Real estate. The procedure applies only to estates consisting entirely of personal property; real estate requires regular probate.
- Regular probate (no separate summary administration). Rhode Island has no separate summary court procedure beyond the voluntary administration statement; larger estates or estates with real estate need letters testamentary or of administration from the municipal probate court.
What people in Rhode Island use instead
Rhode Island has no TOD deed. Its law recognizes joint tenancy (with survivorship) when a deed declares it; otherwise co-owners are tenants in common (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-3-1).
Good to know in Rhode Island
- Similar bills failed in 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2025; check the 2027 session.
- Title 33 (Probate Practice) chapter list on the official site shows no TOD deed chapter.
Official pages
Sources
- RI General Assembly bill status (S 2050 / H 7284, 2026) (read October 28, 2026)
- 2026 H 7284 bill text (read October 28, 2026)
- R.I. Gen. Laws Title 33 index (read October 28, 2026)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-3-1 (read October 28, 2026)
Legal information from the official sources above, not legal advice. A TOD deed can affect Medicaid, taxes, creditors and co-owners; for a decision about your own property, ask the county recorder, a legal aid office or a lawyer. How we check: methodology.
More for Rhode Island
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- BenefitsSNAP income limitsGross income limit: 185% of the federal poverty line
- BenefitsMedicaid & CHIP income limitsMedicaid: Expanded: adults up to 138% of poverty
- RentingSecurity depositsDeposit back within: 20 days (see details)
- RentingBreaking a leaseTenant notice (month-to-month): 30 days, ending with a rental period
- RentingEviction noticesUnpaid rent notice: 5 days (pay or move out)
- RentingRepairsTime to repair: 20 days
- RentingRent increasesNotice before a rent increase: 60–120 days
- UnemploymentUnemployment benefitsWeekly benefit: $82–$777, up to 26 weeks
- Small claimsSmall claims courtMost you can sue for: $5,000
- EstatesSmall estate affidavitSkip-probate cap: $15,000
- Cost of livingChildcare costsCounties with prices: 5