In Rhode Island, one of the successors who files the affidavit of heirship must also file to become the voluntary administrator or executor of the decedent’s estate. This person is responsible for submitting an inventory of the property, pay debts and expenses of the deceased (such as medical expenses or funeral bills), and safeguard the property and assets before the real property is divided up among the decedent’s heirs. Title 33, § 33-24-1 of Rhode Island law governs the voluntary administrator position, and determines that the affidavit of heirship allows successors to claim small estates valued up to $15,000.
How to Write
Step 1 – Download in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word (.doc).
Step 2 – Fill-in the following blanks respectively:
- Identify all heirs of the estate
- Your legal name and address
- List your relationship with the decedent
- Timeline of relationship
- Name of any/all spouses including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all children including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all grandchildren including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all parents including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all brothers & sisters including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
- Name of any/all nieces & nephews including date(s) or marriage, divorce, and death (if any)
Step 3 – Sign the document before a notary public, and file with a copy of the death certificate.
