Probate & Estate Administration If you are looking for legal help, look no futher than Law Office of Steven J. Hart.

Probate Attorney in Warwick, RI

25 Years Serving Kent County Executors, Families, & Beneficiaries

When a loved one passes, the legal work of settling their estate falls on the people left behind. I’m Steven J. Hart, and I represent executors, administrators, heirs, beneficiaries, and trustees through probate proceedings at the Warwick Probate Court and throughout Kent County. As a member of the ABA Real Property and Probate Committee and the Rhode Island Bar Association, with more than 25 years of experience practicing in this area, I bring focused legal knowledge to a process that has real deadlines and real consequences for the people responsible for getting it right.

Because my practice also covers estate planning, wills, and trusts, families handling an estate don’t need to move between multiple firms. One attorney can manage probate alongside any connected planning or litigation needs.

If you’re serving as an executor or administrator in Warwick, or you’re a beneficiary with questions about an ongoing estate, call my office at (888) 701-0919 to schedule an initial consultation.

Why Warwick Families Work with Law Office of Steven J. Hart

No two estates are alike. A surviving spouse navigating a blended family situation, an executor handling real property in probate, a beneficiary concerned about how assets are being distributed: each of these clients needs different guidance. I meet individually with every client, tailor my approach to the specifics of their matter, and keep them informed at each stage of the process.

Executors and administrators can face personal liability for procedural errors or missed deadlines during probate. That risk is real, and it’s one of the strongest reasons to work with an attorney who knows the local court’s requirements. My firm has earned Client Champion recognition from Martindale-Hubbell for 2024, 2025, and 2026, and carries an Avvo rating of 9, reflecting attentive client service.

For families who have estate planning work still to complete, or who need to revisit documents after a loved one’s passing, having probate and planning handled under one roof means less risk that something gets overlooked.

Probate & Estate Administration Services

My practice covers the full range of estate administration matters. Whether the deceased left a will or died without one, I can guide the process from first filing through final distribution.

Testate & Intestate Estates
When a will exists, it’s submitted to the probate court and an executor is appointed to carry out its terms. When no will exists, Rhode Island’s intestacy statutes determine who receives the estate and the court appoints an administrator. I handle both.

Trust Administration
When assets are held in a trust, the trustee has obligations to beneficiaries that require careful legal management: preparing accountings, advising on distributions, and helping keep administration aligned with the trust terms.

Executor & Administrator Representation
I represent the personal representative throughout probate, handling court filings, creditor matters, asset inventory, and real property issues that arise during settlement.

Beneficiary & Heir Representation
If you’re a beneficiary or heir with concerns about how an estate is being administered, I represent your interests in probate proceedings as well.

Probate Litigation
When disputes escalate, including contested wills or challenges to an executor’s actions, my firm has a dedicated probate litigation practice to address those matters.

How Probate Works in Rhode Island

Rhode Island handles probate at the municipal level. If your loved one lived in Warwick, the estate is filed with the Warwick Probate Court, not a county or state court. Understanding how that local process unfolds helps executors and families know what to expect.

Filing the Petition

The process begins by filing a petition with the Warwick Probate Court. If the deceased left a will, the original document is filed at the same time. The court then appoints an executor (if a will names one) or an administrator (if no will exists) and issues either Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, granting legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.

Creditor Notice & the Six-Month Minimum

Rhode Island law requires the executor or administrator to publish a creditor notice in a local newspaper for three consecutive weeks. Creditors then have six months from the first publication date to file claims against the estate. This six-month window is why every Rhode Island estate must remain open for at least that long, regardless of its size or complexity.

Asset Inventory

Within three months of appointment, the executor or administrator must file a complete inventory of estate assets with the probate court, documenting the fair market value of all personal property and real estate. Real property typically requires a formal appraisal, and Warwick Probate Court local rules require a certified appraisal for any petition to sell real property.

Debt Payment Priority & Tax Obligations

Rhode Island law establishes a strict priority order for paying estate debts: funeral expenses first, followed by last illness expenses, then debts owed to the United States, then state and local taxes, then general creditors. Tax obligations must be addressed before assets are distributed to heirs or beneficiaries.

Final Account & Distribution

After debts and taxes are settled, the executor or administrator files a final account with the probate court for approval. Warwick Probate Court local rules require specific documentation, including a Notice of No Tax Due and a Fiduciary’s affidavit. Once the court approves the account, assets are distributed and the estate is formally closed.

How Long Does Probate Take in Rhode Island?

Full administration in Rhode Island typically runs between 9 and 18 months, depending on the complexity of the estate, the volume of creditor claims, and the court’s schedule. A summary probate procedure is available for estates with personal property valued at $15,000 or less and no real estate; those matters can resolve in weeks rather than months.

What I Handle for Executors & Administrators in Warwick

Serving as an executor or administrator means taking on legal responsibility for a process most people have never navigated before. I manage the legal workload on your behalf so that procedural requirements don’t become a source of personal liability.

The tasks I handle include:

Filing the probate petition and submitting the will to the Warwick Probate Court
Preparing and filing the asset inventory within the three-month deadline
Publishing the required creditor notice and managing the claims period
Defending the estate against unsupported creditor claims
Advising on or managing the sale of estate real property, including meeting the court’s appraisal requirements
Preparing the final account and supporting documentation for court approval
Navigating disputes among heirs or beneficiaries
Appearing in Warwick Probate Court on your behalf

When contested issues arise, including a challenged will or a dispute over asset distribution, my practice includes probate litigation to address those matters directly. Knowing that the probate lawyer handling your administration also handles contested proceedings means you won’t need to find new counsel if the situation changes.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re an executor, administrator, or family member managing an estate in Warwick or anywhere in Kent County, I’m available to walk through your situation and explain what the process may require. All matters are held in strict confidence.

Call Law Office of Steven J. Hart at (888) 701-0919 or use the contact form to request your initial consultation. The sooner you have legal guidance in place, the better positioned you may be to address the court’s early deadlines.

Common Questions Before Contacting a Probate Lawyer

Does Every Estate Have to Go Through Probate?

Not every asset must pass through probate. Jointly owned property, accounts with named beneficiaries such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts, and assets held in a properly funded trust typically pass outside probate entirely. Whether probate is required depends on what the deceased owned and how those assets were titled or structured. For smaller estates with only personal property valued at $15,000 or less and no real estate, Rhode Island’s summary probate procedure may apply, significantly shortening the process.

What Happens When There Is No Will?

When a person dies without a will in Rhode Island, the estate is called an intestate estate. State intestacy laws control who receives the assets, distributing them first to the surviving spouse and children, then to other relatives in a statutory order. The court appoints an administrator rather than an executor to oversee the process. The procedural steps and deadlines are largely the same as in a testate estate, but distribution is determined by law rather than the deceased’s wishes.

What Is the Executor’s Personal Liability Exposure?

Executors and administrators are personally responsible for errors made during administration: missed filing deadlines, improper distributions, failure to give proper creditor notice, or paying debts in the wrong order. Courts take fiduciary duty seriously, and an executor who gets the process wrong can be held personally liable for the resulting harm. Working with a probate attorney in Warwick from the outset can help reduce that exposure.

What If Someone Contests the Will or Challenges the Executor?

Disputes over a will’s validity, a beneficiary’s challenge to an executor’s actions, or conflicts over asset distribution can escalate beyond routine administration into formal litigation. My practice has a dedicated probate litigation practice for exactly these situations, so clients don’t need to find separate representation if a dispute arises during an estate I’m already handling.

Contact Me Today

I'm Ready to Help

At the Law Office of Steven J. Hart, I personalize my approach to each and every case I receive in order to get you the best results possible.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Law Office of Steven J. Hart at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy

Reasons To Choose My Firm

I Keep My Clients in the Loop Every Step of the Way
I Offer Initial Case Consultations
I Handle a Variety of Legal Matters
I Have Over 25 Years of Experience
I Meet Individually With Each Client
I Take a Personalized Legal Approach

Schedule a Personal Consultation Today

Let's discuss your unique legal situation and explore the best path forward together.?

Schedule A Consultation