Probate Court

The Richmond Probate Court has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, granting of administrations, appointment of guardians, change of names, and to fulfill the mandates of Title 33 of the Rhode Island General Laws.

Probate Court is held on the third Tuesday of the Month at 9:30 A.M. in either Town Council Chambers at the Richmond Town Hall - 5 Richmond Townhouse Road or via Zoom. (Notice will be provided upon receipt of the petition.)

Staff

The Honorable Judge Christine Engustian presides over Probate Court. The Town Clerk is also the clerk of the Probate Court.

The filing fee for a probate petition is defined by RI General Law § 33-22-21 and is further defined in the Probate Schedule of Fees.

Petitions

Petitions that require advertisement must be submitted to the probate clerk at least 30 days prior to the date of the hearing.

Advertisements are run once a week for three weeks in the Westerly Sun, which is published once per week on Thursdays.

The deadline for submitting petitions that require advertisement is the day after the previous regularly scheduled hearing (subject to change for special sessions).

Petitions filed on waiver must be submitted by the Wednesday before the hearing by 4:00 P.M.

2026 Probate Calendar and Deadlines

Probate forms can be downloaded from the Secretary of State's website.

Probate Practices and Procedures

Search

Probate records are available to view online through SearchIQS.

Please note: The probate judge, probate clerk, and other staff in the Clerk's Office are prohibited from providing legal advice. They are also prohibited from assisting parties in the completion of probate forms for submission to the probate court.

All parties are strongly encouraged to seek legal representation and advice from qualified attorneys.