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Rhode Island Contracts Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Contracts, Intellectual Property and Family Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Divorce and entitlement to book profits after marriage in RI.

I am divorcing after 33 years of marriage. About 6 years ago, I wrote and self-published 30 books through Amazon KDP, all created during the marriage with no joint financial contributions. Although these books haven't generated substantial profits yet, I want to know what entitlement my... View More

John  Larochelle
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John Larochelle
answered on Apr 1, 2025

Rhode Island is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally upon divorce. Under § 15-5-16.1(a), the Family Court assigns property based on factors such as:

• Length of the marriage (33 years here, a long-term marriage)....
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Family Law and Social Security for Rhode Island on
Q: Is it illegal if a parent 'legally' robbed their child of their inheritance left in a will by her father before death?

I've stumbled upon a case where my Grandmother was left her father's "Entire Estate." However, due to the court's findings, they denied her her right to any inheritance due to her being an "illegitimate child" born out of wedlock. Is it possible that she was... View More

Albin Moser
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answered on Dec 4, 2024

Those of us born out of wedlock can inherit pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-1-8, a Rhode Island law that was first enacted in 1905. That 1905 law was probably enacted prior to the time of your great-grandfather's death, and would have prevented a finding that your grandmother could not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: As to the recording voice and video does The State of Rhode Island require that all party's being recorded be informed?

One month after signing a lease I recorded a video with sound of my landlady in a rooming house in Warwick Rhode Island. She told me that she was writing new rules as an addendum to the lease and then I was excluded from parts of the house that were in the lease.

during that confrontation... View More

Nicholas Arthur Matlach
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answered on Apr 29, 2024

It sounds like you're in a very challenging situation, and I understand wanting to explore all options. Whether you can use the recording in a court case depends on a few factors:

- Rhode Island's Consent Laws: Rhode Island is a "one-party consent" state. This means you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Contracts for Rhode Island on
Q: Can I sue Firestone for uncompleted vehicle inspection charging me?

I took my vehicle to Firestone for a state emissions inspection on 9/1/2023, and I have a paid invoice that lists the inspection and sticker. On 3/22/2025, I was pulled over because my registration was suspended due to no inspection record at the RI DMV, leading to my car being towed and plates... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That sounds like a really frustrating and costly situation, especially since you relied on Firestone to perform a state-required service and it directly led to legal trouble and your car being towed. If they charged you for a state inspection and there’s no record at the DMV—no pass, no fail,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation and Contracts for Rhode Island on
Q: Recovering funds from a joint bank account with my parent in Rhode Island.

I am 15 years old and have a joint bank account with my dad. A few months ago, around $429, which is basically all my money, was taken from my account for rent. My dad is the joint account holder, and despite having bank statements on my phone showing the transaction, my parents denied taking the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

It’s really tough when you feel like your money is taken without your consent, especially when you’re not getting clear answers. Since you and your dad are joint account holders, it’s important to remember that both of you have access to the account and can make transactions. However, it’s... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Products Liability, Tax Law and Car Accidents for Rhode Island on
Q: Can I own an unregistered vehicle if I don’t use the vehicle

I’m trying to buy a vehicle and I won’t be able to register it for 2 months.

Albin Moser
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answered on Dec 21, 2023

Yes, you can own a vehicle that is not registered yet. Until you register it you can't drive it.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Construction Law for Rhode Island on
Q: How can I request to be reimbursed from a contractor on a plumbing job done incorrectly?

Contractor hired last year to redo bathroom. Installed shower valve wrong which lead to plumbing leaks. Had to hire a plumber to rip open walls and fix.

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Dec 21, 2022

A homeowner may file a complaint against a contractor who performed work on their home. A complaint can also be filed against those professionals the CRLB licenses. Complaints cannot be filed on work conducted on commercial properties.

The list of contractors includes, but is not limited...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Rhode Island on
Q: Contract law question. Counterparts were signed but were not identical. Multiple differences. Is the contract valid?

No pages were initialed. Its actually an agreement and not a contract, though still not identical. One person used an initially proposed agreement and not the one that was finally settled on.

Andrew Bilodeau
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answered on Apr 26, 2022

Unfortunately, the answer you likely didn't want to hear is, it depends. Was each page of the entire contract initialed? Are the different provisions substantive provisions?

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Rhode Island on
Q: Is there a specified number of days from issuing an invoice before you sue?
Albin Moser
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answered on Dec 3, 2021

If the contract states a time of payment, then you can sue at any time after the due date. If there is no due date, then you can sue after a reasonable amount of time has passed. After a reasonable amount of time has passed and no payment, a common practice is to send a second notice. Usually you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Environmental for Rhode Island on
Q: How do I get permission to walk on Open Space to preserve a grave?
Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Sep 16, 2019

Speak to the Cemetery owner.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Landlord - Tenant, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Rhode Island on
Q: My bf isn’t on my lease but just wants me to write in his name? Will they contact the landlord?

My bf is being charged with B&E after a dumb argument we had in my apartment. He isn’t technically on my lease, but he does pretty much live with me. He is asking me to write in his name on the lease I do have, without telling the landlord. Is this illegal? If I do do this( will they contact... View More

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Sep 4, 2019

You wrote further detail on AVVO. You could subject yourself to possible prosecution.

The phone calls from the jail may be recorded

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Domestic Violence and Federal Crimes for Rhode Island on
Q: Can my boyfriend be charged with B&E if he is on my lease?

I had a bad argument with my boyfriend while drunk one night, which resulted in me telling him to leave and calling the police. He has been charged with B&E, however he is on my rental lease. He can not afford a lawyer at this time, so he has decided to go with a public defender. He had court... View More

Thomas Briody
Thomas Briody
answered on Sep 3, 2019

Cooperate with the attorney. Public defenders do a terrific job, and should follow through with their own investigation. The Rhode Island public defender has its own investigators. You can also communicate to the Attorney General that you do not wish to go forward with any complaint against your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Can a buyer back out once an offer is given and accepted on deadline date w no recourse?

The Buyer offered us full price and after inspection requested four things to be addressed (taken care of) we in return offered them to fix two of the four requests plus 2,000.00 off original price. They accepted the offer on the deadline date of July 2. Then on July 6th, we were told they were... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jul 9, 2019

The answer to your question should be set forth in the written documents; where is your real estate agent?

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law and Civil Rights for Rhode Island on
Q: 20 year Labor union member wrongfully terminated, rights were disregarded in Collective Bargaining agreement,
Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Apr 1, 2019

Hire a good employment lawyer with expertise in labor union issues.

3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Products Liability and Small Claims for Rhode Island on
Q: hello i have lost an $2200 camera that i rented whats going to happen to me ?
Thomas Briody
Thomas Briody
answered on Feb 13, 2019

If you truly lost the item, then you have most likely not committed a crime. However, you are responsible for the loss, and you will have to reimburse the person who loaned you the camera. That means you are most likely going to have to pay the value of the camera back.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Rhode Island on
Q: Where can I find statutes or cases that support that OK has subject matter jurisdiction over my case?

I am on active military orders in RI, owned a home in NC that was rented by tenants, who abandoned the property, breached contract and now live in OK. NC statute chptr 7A, Art 19, section 213 states I cannot file in the state because none of the defendants live there any longer. I filed in OK in... View More

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Sep 24, 2018

Your best avenue would be to engage an attorney practicing where the case is properly filed. There are myriad resources online for legal information, statutes, and case law along with many law schools that could provide you with the information you seek. However, a practicing attorney should be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Contracts and Child Support for Rhode Island on
Q: We are currently unable to pay the full amount of rent. However, the house is poorly maintained. What can be done?

We only have one source of income (being approximately $600 a month) currently and are behind by two months rent. However, we have lived at this house for close to 8 years and have had many problems. From the kitchen, the paint on the ceiling is peeling off, the oven does not work, and the faucet... View More

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on Jun 11, 2018

It may be time to look for: 1) a new, different, and better maintained residence/apartment and/ or 2) a second source of income and/or 3) an attorney to help you defend against a likely eviction case should your landlord decide to take you to court. Contact your local CAP agency for help with #1... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Criminal Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Is the decriminalization of minor marijuana possession in Rhode Island retroactive if the conviction happened before the

law was in effect?

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on May 27, 2018

Probably not - unless the law itself specifies a retroactive date. It does not appear to.

See:

TITLE 21

Food And Drugs

CHAPTER 21-28

Uniform Controlled Substances Act

ARTICLE 21-28-4.01

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE21/21-28/21-28-4.01.HTM

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Criminal Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Is the decriminalization of minor marijuana possession in Rhode Island retroactive if the conviction happened before the

law was in effect?

Neville Bedford
Neville Bedford
answered on May 27, 2018

no, see: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE21/21-28/21-28-4.01.HTM

There is no retroactive date enabled/listed for this law. Meet with a practicing attorney to explore other ways to approach this including possible expungement.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Contracts and Employment Law for Rhode Island on
Q: How can a member of a Laborers union fight against being wrongfully terminated due to nepotism by the union steward??

Its a long story but I've been with this company many years, (almost 20 years) I am beyond devastated,

Bernard P. Healy
Bernard P. Healy
answered on Mar 3, 2018

I do not have sufficient information to answer this question fully or accurately. Let me give you my initial impressions. I assume you are a member of a Laborers Union which has assigned you for many years to a specific business. You have apparently performed your job well and you are being forced... View More

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