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Rhode Island Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Question around seller protections in Rhode Island after closing a home

We sold a home earlier this year and disclosed that the garage had flooded. We also said that we asked the home builder to come fix it (since the home was newly built) which he did. It never flooded again after the work he did so to us it was fixed.

We closed on the sale earlier this... View More

Albin Moser
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answered on Dec 21, 2023

You are protected. Caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. The risk of flooding is something that the buyer took on when the buyer bought the property. The buyer has no case against you. The buyer might have a case against the builder if there is something wrong with the construction and the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Rhode Island on
Q: The HOA has made rule that we are not allowed any type of mass communication. to other owners without their approval

They removed all owner contact information from our website

Is that legal

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 5, 2023

In addressing the legality of a Homeowners' Association (HOA) rule restricting mass communication among owners, it's necessary to review the governing documents of the association, such as the bylaws and covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs), as well as state law. HOAs do... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Rhode Island on
Q: What is the current law in Rhode Island in regards to a life estate pertaining to nieces and nephews?
Albin Moser
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answered on Oct 6, 2023

Anyone can grant a life estate to anyone, regardless of whether or not the grantor and grantee are related. If the deed is valid then the life estate is valid. If someone were to try to challenge the deed on the argument that they are a closer relation, their closer relation is not enough in itself... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Elder Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Some years ago, my aunt put her house in my father's name. She recently died and my father now owns the house.

He wants to sell the house to my son (his grandson). We are being told that the house must be sold at "fair market value". Can he not sell the house at whatever price he chooses?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

While I think Mr. Gallo's answer is correct based on the question as phrased, I sense a Medicaid look-back issue. Whether such an issue exists depends on whether your aunt received long-term care benefits through Medicaid, which is not mentioned in your question. When a Medicaid recipient... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: how is legal and equitable interest transfered or assigned
Albin Moser
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answered on Aug 18, 2023

Usually by a written deed that describes the real estate, describes the interest being conveyed, is signed by the grantor, is given by the grantor to the grantee and recorded with the city or town in the land records. There are other requirements but those are the main ones. Usually a lawyer... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Rhode Island on
Q: Hi, I am not getting anywhere with accessing my late father's executor/wills order petition to dis. Is it open records?

I live in KY, but it was carried out in Rhode Island, and its hard to do things when your 1000+ miles away, and all the paper work is in a storage unit in RI, is there any other way i can go about finding out the information within it like the lawyers name? Something where i can get started??? Im... View More

Albin Moser
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answered on Aug 15, 2023

The petition and order you are looking for are in the records of the probate court for the town or city in which your father last resided. You can call the probate court for that town or city and speak to the probate clerk, ask for a copy of the records. Probate records are not usually available... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: After a drawn out period of time with poor communication, it appears my house will be going up for foreclosure. Advice?

I will speak to the company Monday, but I want to get ahead of this. The home is worth approx $100k more than I currently owe. I wanted to see what my options are. I do not have a lump sum needed to fully catch up with my payments, and have been working to adjust my payments so that I can resume... View More

Albin Moser
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answered on Aug 10, 2023

The cash for houses websites are unlikely to be your best option. Selling the house is certainly an option. Also there are programs available through Rhode Island Housing for you to mediate the matter with the mortgage servicer to avoid foreclosure and explore your options to refinance instead. The... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: I planted 6 shrubs 9 mos ago 3' from agreed border. Neighbor' survey this week shows 12" over says now his. Who's r they

for 5+ years, we agreed on boundary, neighbor cutting grass up to such point.

Neighbor never questioned location when they were planted even though he questioned separate border that day

Albin Moser
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answered on Jun 29, 2023

If neighbors agree upon a boundary line then that can become the legal line, even if a survey based on the old line says otherwise. The problem you have is that the neighbor no longer agrees to the boundary line and wants to go by the survey instead. It might be hard to come up with evidence that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: What does legal description of property mean on a quitclaim deed in RI
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 26, 2022

Legal Descriptions give the angular calls and distances between corners of the property, or may be lot reference to a certain lot on a recorded subdivision plat, which then shows angles and boundary lengths for all lots. Some places use the rangeship/ township method of describing a certain parcel... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: My co signer on my house filed chapter 7 bankruptcy 7 years ago. Will they still get money if I sell the house in RI
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 3, 2023

Cosigner on a Note does not make that person a tenant in common., etc. Hire a RI attorney to search the Title and determine ownership. At least read your Deed.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Rhode Island on
Q: Quit claim question. What the ownership status for a house that we inherited from our mother?

What is the ownership status for a house that we inherited from our mother? She passed away 20 years ago and my brother took control of her house but the two of us never followed through with the quit claim process. Do we legally own the house jointly?

Andrew Bilodeau
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Andrew Bilodeau
answered on Nov 18, 2022

You still have an ownership interest that you can assert. If a probate was never opened, one would need to be opened so that the property could be properly transferred to the rightful heirs. I would need more information - whether there was a will or a trust, and how the property was deeded prior... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: R.I. law that allows a tenant in common owner of property to sell its share w/o permission from the other cotenants.

Also, can a tenant in common ask any amount for its share where no pre-existing agreement exists betw the tenants

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 3, 2022

Tenants In Common almost always have a right to sue for a Sale For Partition. The Court ordered Sale price is for the whole property, which is then disbursed according to the order. Each Tenant normally gets the same after expense share, although sometimes there are equitable adjustments.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Rhode Island on
Q: If my father's house was quit claimed to my brother in 2019 and my dad passed in 2022, does the house go through probate

My brother has lived there most of his life, but never took over any financial or other responsibility for the house while my father was alive

Andrew Bilodeau
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Andrew Bilodeau
answered on Aug 17, 2022

If your father conveyed his entire interest in his house to your brother then the house would not be part of the probate estate because the house was not owned by your father at the time of his death.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: If I have a case against a contractor do I need to retain the property till the case is done?
Albin Moser
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answered on Mar 2, 2022

No, you do not have to retain the real estate until the case is done, but there are some things you should do before you sell it. You do need to gather your evidence while it is still fresh, and give the contractor the opportunity to do the same.

First, hire a registered contractor to look...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: How many egresses are new 2 family homes required to have in Providence RI
Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Feb 21, 2022

Check with the regulations at https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/open-government-center/rules-and-regulations/building-and-fire-codes

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Am an ascertained heir to a property and want to keep rights is redemption.. need to answer the court… how do I do that

Need to work with a lawyer

Albin Moser
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answered on Jan 31, 2022

Rights of redemption usually refers to a municipal tax sale. The property may have been sold at tax sale and if so then you have a limited period of time to redeem it, by paying off the debt to the person who bought it at tax sale. There are deadlines stated in the notices that you receive. If you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: I am in RI. My siblings and I inherited a house from my brother when he died. There is a mortgage on the house.

One of my brothers is considering buying the house. We will naturally charge him a lot less than the appraised price. Does the mortgage go with the house or are we responsible for paying it off before we sell it to him?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 13, 2022

First a determination of who are the titled owners should be made. If the Mortgage is not satisfied and released, the brother takes the improved real property subject to the Mortgage. Apparently none of you all are personally liable on the Note, but if not paid, Foreclosure occurs. Remember... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Is there a way of signing over our home to my son, maintain life tenancy, and exclude his current wife?

The home has been in the family for multiple generations and we are not certain his current wife is in this long term and want to be certain if we sign it over she can't get it if they divorce.

Albin Moser
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answered on Dec 3, 2021

The life estate might provide some protection. A trust might provide more, especially during your life. But, at some point in the future, if he and she are living there and you have passed on, then he will probably own the property outright. It would be hard at that point for him to prevent her... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: I own a house with my parents. Jtwros. My husband and i live there with them. We are separating. Can he claim ownership?

We are common law married. We've lived in the house for over 10 years.

Albin Moser
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answered on Aug 30, 2021

If you are an owner with your parents in a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship then your husband can claim a right to equitable distribution of some of the equity in the house. That means money. He can’t claim ownership.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: In Rhode Island, when signing a lease for commercial space, can landlord request security deposit and last month rent?
Andrew Bilodeau
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Andrew Bilodeau
answered on Apr 29, 2021

Yes. Unlike a residential lease, a commercial lease is not regulated as its a contract between businesses and agreed upon terms are not restricted. Hopefully that helps.

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