Divorce Information, Advice and Mediation in Rhode Island

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1296 Park Avenue‚ Cranston‚ RI 02910
Telephone: 401–228–8789
E-Mail: info@drcri.net

Divorce is never a pretty picture…

…we offer a better way

Our next Women’s Divorce Support Group is Thursday‚ August 14th‚ at 7:00PM. Call 401—228—8789 for more information.

Our next Men’s Divorce Support Group is Monday‚ August 11th‚ at 7:00PM. Call 401—228—8789 for more information.

RI Divorce Law: A Question & Answer Guide for the Rest of Us

Disclaimer: This onging series is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as‚ or a substitute for‚ qualified legal advice from a Licensed Attorney.

In an effort to help people considering‚ or presently involved in a Rhode Island Divorce better understand the complex maze of divorce laws and the baffling “legalese” language the “Statutes”‚ or Laws are written in we offer for your benefit our RI Divorce Law Q & A Guide for the Rest of Us.

An ongoing series‚ we’ll first post a common Divorce question and then display a link to the actual Law‚ or Statute from The State of Rhode Island General Laws — Title 15: Domestic Relations which cover Divorce and Family Law issues‚ and in turn RI Family Law Attorney Jeanne M. LaPianna‚ Esq. has graciously offered to provide a plain English interpretation for your benefit. Continued below…

Question: How long do I need to live in Rhode Island to file for Divorce here?

Answer: Title 15: Chapter 15–5: Divorce and Separation

§ 15–5–12: Domicile and Residence Requirements
Our Attorney’s View: “The person filing‚ known as the ‘Plaintiff’‚ must be a resident of the State of Rhode Island for at least one year prior to filing the complaint for divorce. The Plaintiff’s spouse‚ known as the ‘Defendant’‚ does not neccessarily have to be a resident of the state of Rhode Island at the time of filing.”

Question: How Long Does It Take To Get A Divorce in R.I.?

Answer: Title: 15: Chapter 15–5: Divorce and Separation

§ 15–5–14: Return Day of Petitions – Notice – Issuance of Process – Time of Hearing
§ 15–5–23 Remarriage – Final decree
§ 15–5–18 Interlocutory Decrees and Injunctions
Our Attorney's View: “Upon filing for divorce if the case is expected to be uncontested (also known as a ‘Nominal Divorce’)‚ the case will be scheduled for a hearing on the merits‚ and a date will be set approximately 77 days from the date of filing. If the case is unable to procede on the Nominal hearing date because the parties are not in agreement as to the terms and conditions‚ the court will set the case down for a case management conference approximately 4 weeks later. After the Nominal hearing an ‘Interlocutory Order’ (decision pending final judgement or temporary order) should be filed with the court within 30 days.

Realistically speaking‚ your divorce should take approximately six months from the start to finish provided you both agree on the terms.”