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West Greenwich Probate Court, RI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | West Greenwich detail |
|---|---|
| Court | West Greenwich Probate Court |
| Filing office | Town clerk of West Greenwich, who serves as clerk of the probate court under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-6 |
| Address | 280 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, RI 02817 |
| Mailing | Use 280 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, RI 02817 |
| Phone | (401) 392-3800, extension 100 |
| Fax | (401) 392-3805 |
| [email protected] | |
| Clerk hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; call before visiting |
| Court sessions | Council Chambers, usually the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.; the town page says to call the probate clerk at (401) 392-3800, extension 100, to confirm |
| Filing cost | Set by state statute: one percent of the decedent's personal property, with a minimum of $30 and a maximum of $1,500, payable before the petition is filed and computed from the petitioner's own estimate, figures unchanged since at least 1996 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21. West Greenwich adds local records and advertising charges under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-11; its schedule dated July 1, 2025 lists $104.00 for an advertised will or administration petition and $69.00 when filed on waiver under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22. |
| Forms and checklist | Rhode Island PC forms are statewide and free through the Secretary of State under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-16. West Greenwich also posts a local filing and fee checklist dated July 1, 2025. |
| Filing method | Plan on paper filing with the town clerk under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-6. Rhode Island statutes assume written petitions, original wills and written receipts under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-1, 33-24-2 and 33-22-21. |
| Probate records online | West Greenwich publishes an online probate records database at https://www.searchiqs.com/RIWGREE/. The town says it covers February 2023 to the present and says to call the office for probates before 2023. |
| Hearing attendance | Use the hearing notice and the probate clerk's instructions. West Greenwich publishes evening sessions in Council Chambers and tells filers to call ahead. |
| Website | https://www.wgtownri.org/271/Probate |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose forms or pay a filing cost, make a complete list of what the person owned, what was jointly owned, what had beneficiaries, what was only in the decedent's name and what debts are known. In West Greenwich, the asset estimate on the petition matters because the statewide one percent fee is computed from the estimate first and then adjusted after the inventory under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21 and 33-9-1.
Sunset can help with estate settlement before the court filing by searching across 2,300 institutions for accounts, insurance, investments and other assets. That asset picture helps you decide whether a West Greenwich filing belongs on the voluntary informal path under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24, a full administration, or another Rhode Island probate route.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File where the decedent lived. If the decedent's home was in West Greenwich, the West Greenwich Probate Court is the court, and no other Rhode Island probate court has jurisdiction over the estate under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-9. If the decedent lived in East Greenwich or another neighboring city or town, that municipality's own probate court is the court to use.
Rhode Island has no county probate courts and no county government. The West Greenwich Probate Court is the court for the town of West Greenwich and for no other municipality under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-9. West Greenwich is in Kent County, which matters in one respect only: an appeal from a decree of this court goes to the Superior Court for that county under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-23-1, and the Superior Court sits in four divisions statewide, with Providence and Bristol counties served together.
The jurisdiction process
- List the assets, debts and likely heirs or beneficiaries before filing. The personal property estimate on the petition drives the first payment under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21, and the estate settlement plan depends on whether any real property is involved.
- Get the statewide PC forms from the Rhode Island Secretary of State, which publishes probate forms free under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-16. Then compare the forms to West Greenwich's local filing and fee checklist dated July 1, 2025, which lists supporting documents for each petition type.
- File with the town clerk of West Greenwich at 280 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, RI 02817. The town clerk is the clerk of the probate court under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-6.
- Pay before the petition is filed. Rhode Island sets the petition fee at one percent of the personal property subject to the court, with a $30 minimum and a $1,500 maximum, figures unchanged since at least 1996 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21. West Greenwich's schedule dated July 1, 2025 lists $104.00 for an advertised will or administration petition and $69.00 for the same petition on waiver under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22 and 33-22-11.
- Use waivers when everyone who must receive notice will sign. West Greenwich's July 1, 2025 schedule shows the waiver under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22 is the largest local cost lever at the opening filing stage, because it reduces a will or administration petition from $104.00 to $69.00.
- Attend the hearing if the matter is set for a session. West Greenwich sessions are usually in Council Chambers on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., and local administrative rules must include session dates and times under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-29. Call the probate clerk at (401) 392-3800, extension 100, to confirm the date.
- After appointment, ask for the certificate of appointment. Rhode Island sets the certificate charge at $5, a figure in R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21, and banks or transfer agents often require certified proof of authority before releasing assets.
- File the inventory within 90 days after appointment unless the court allows more time. The inventory duty is in R.I. Gen. Laws 33-9-1, and West Greenwich's July 1, 2025 schedule bills the recomputed one percent plus a $4 surcharge, with a $34 minimum and a $1,504 local maximum under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21.
- Handle claims, tax and closing before distribution. Creditor claims are governed by R.I. Gen. Laws 33-11-5, and the final account cannot be allowed until the Rhode Island estate tax position has been paid, extended, or determined not to apply under R.I. Gen. Laws 44-23-36.
Forms and documents
Probate forms at the West Greenwich Probate Court
Rhode Island probate forms are statewide. A legislative commission prescribes them and the Secretary of State publishes them free to the public, lawyers and probate clerks under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-16. West Greenwich uses the same PC form set as every other Rhode Island probate court and links to the current Secretary of State form page at www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/business-services/probate-forms/.
West Greenwich does not publish a separate local probate form, but it does publish a local filing and fee checklist dated July 1, 2025. That checklist tells filers which statewide PC forms and supporting documents to include for common filings, such as an original death certificate, a paid funeral bill, PC-9.2 Attorney of Record, PC-10.1 Entry of Appearance for a self-represented filer, and PC-3.5 Appointment of Agent when an out-of-state fiduciary needs a resident agent under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-2.
The town's probate page also tells readers that court staff cannot give legal advice or help complete probate forms. That limitation fits the statewide rule that the probate clerk keeps the probate court records and cannot act as attorney before that court under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-7.
Fees
Rhode Island sets probate fees by statute and the same statutory schedule applies in all 39 cities and towns. For a petition to probate a will or to grant administration, the fee is one percent of the decedent's personal property over which the court has jurisdiction, with a floor of $30 and a ceiling of $1,500, figures unchanged since at least 1996 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21. Two things about that fee surprise people. First, it is due before the petition is filed and it is calculated from an estimate you supply on the petition itself, so the amount paid at the counter is provisional: the statute requires revision when the estimate is wrong, with a further payment or a refund under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21. Second, the statutory fee is not the whole cost. Notice by newspaper advertising is governed by R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-11, and West Greenwich adds local records and advertising charges.
| Filing or item | West Greenwich amount |
|---|---|
| Petition for probate of will, advertised | $104.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 |
| Petition for probate of will, on waiver | $69.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22 |
| Administration petition, advertised | $104.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 |
| Administration petition, on waiver | $69.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22 |
| Petition to file will with no assets | $34.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21 |
| Voluntary informal executor | $34.00 filing plus $5.00 certified copy, $39.00 total on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-2 and 33-22-21 |
| Voluntary informal administration | $34.00 filing plus $5.00 certified copy, $39.00 total on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1 and 33-22-21 |
| Petition for sale or mortgage of real estate, advertised | $35.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-11 |
| Account, advertised | $35.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-11 |
| Affidavit of complete administration | $34.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21 |
| Inventory fee | One percent of value plus a $4 surcharge, with a $34 minimum and a $1,504 local maximum on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21 and 33-9-1 |
| Certificate of appointment | $5.00 on the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 and under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21 |
Local nuance
West Greenwich-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Correct probate URL | The live West Greenwich probate page is https://www.wgtownri.org/271/Probate. The older town clerk probate path no longer reaches the probate page. |
| Evening sessions | West Greenwich publishes probate sessions in Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m., usually on the second Wednesday of the month, and says to call the probate clerk at (401) 392-3800, extension 100, to confirm. Local administrative rules must include session dates and times under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-29. |
| Online probate records | The town publishes an online probate records database at https://www.searchiqs.com/RIWGREE/ and says it covers February 2023 to the present. For probates before 2023, the town says to call the office. |
| West Greenwich is not East Greenwich | West Greenwich and East Greenwich are separate Rhode Island towns in Kent County, and each has its own probate court under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-9. |
Recent updates
| Local update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Live probate page | West Greenwich's live probate page is https://www.wgtownri.org/271/Probate. The older town clerk probate URL no longer reaches the probate page. |
| Local fee checklist | West Greenwich posts a probate filing and fee information document dated July 1, 2025. |
| Online probate records | The town says its online probate records database covers February 2023 to the present and directs readers to call the office for earlier probates. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely West Greenwich path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | First separate jointly owned property from assets only in the decedent's name. If a West Greenwich probate filing is still needed, a waiver under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22 can matter: the town schedule dated July 1, 2025 lists $69.00 for a will or administration petition on waiver and $104.00 if advertised under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-11. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance and titled assets so the spouse can see what needs court authority and what may pass outside probate. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the parent died without a will, an out-of-state child cannot serve as voluntary administrator under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-1 because that route requires a Rhode Island resident. If the child is named executor in a will, the voluntary executor route under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-2 may be available with a resident agent on PC-3.5 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24-2. West Greenwich's July 1, 2025 schedule lists $39.00 total for each voluntary informal route under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24 and 33-22-21. | Sunset helps the child inventory accounts before deciding whether the R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24 route fits and can generate a cleaner filing packet for the West Greenwich clerk. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Real property takes the estate outside the voluntary informal route under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-24. A sale may require probate authority and a petition for sale or mortgage of real estate; West Greenwich's schedule dated July 1, 2025 lists that advertised petition at $35.00 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-11. The Rhode Island estate tax lien on real property also has to be addressed before the final account is allowed under R.I. Gen. Laws 44-23-12 and 44-23-36. | Sunset helps gather account and property information, flag tax and title steps, and connect the parent with a local attorney for the sale and court filings. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it provides | Link |
|---|---|---|
| West Greenwich Probate Court | Address, phone with extension, session schedule, 2026 dates, fee checklist, rules link, statewide forms link and online probate records link | https://www.wgtownri.org/271/Probate |
| West Greenwich probate filing and fee information | The town's probate fee and filing checklist dated July 1, 2025, including supporting documents for common petitions | https://www.wgtownri.org/DocumentCenter/View/452/Probate-Filing-Fee-Info-and-Check-List |
| West Greenwich probate records database | Online probate records that the town says cover February 2023 to the present | https://www.searchiqs.com/RIWGREE/ |
| Rhode Island Secretary of State probate forms | Statewide PC probate forms, free to the public under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-16 | https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/business-services/probate-forms/ |
| Rhode Island Superior Court | The Superior Court hears an appeal from a West Greenwich probate decree under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-23-1; West Greenwich is in Kent County, and Kent County is one of the Superior Court divisions | https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SuperiorCourt/Pages/default.aspx |
| Rhode Island Division of Taxation estate tax | Estate tax return information, the nine-month clock under R.I. Gen. Laws 44-23-1, and lien discharge steps that may be needed before a final account under R.I. Gen. Laws 44-23-36 | https://tax.ri.gov/tax-sections/estate-tax |
When to hire an attorney
Consider speaking with a Rhode Island probate attorney if the estate includes real property, an out-of-state fiduciary, a sale petition, a disputed heir or beneficiary, a creditor problem under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-11-5, an appeal under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-23-1, or Rhode Island estate tax work under R.I. Gen. Laws 44-22 and 44-23. The West Greenwich page itself says court staff cannot provide legal advice or help complete forms, and Sunset connects to a vetted attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, investments and other property so the family can understand what exists before choosing a West Greenwich probate path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized estate settlement packet so the Rhode Island PC forms and West Greenwich checklist are easier to complete.
Find a local probate attorney. When a West Greenwich estate needs legal judgment, a real property sale, an appeal, tax work, or a contested hearing, Sunset can help connect the family with a Rhode Island probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for someone who lived in West Greenwich?
File with the town clerk of West Greenwich at 280 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, RI 02817. The town clerk is the clerk of the probate court under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-6, and the West Greenwich Probate Court has jurisdiction when the decedent lived in West Greenwich under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-9.
Is West Greenwich the same probate court as East Greenwich?
No. West Greenwich and East Greenwich are separate Rhode Island towns. Each has its own probate court under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-9.
When does the West Greenwich Probate Court meet?
West Greenwich publishes probate sessions in Council Chambers, usually on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Local administrative rules must include the dates and times when a probate court is in session under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-29, and the town page says to call the probate clerk at (401) 392-3800, extension 100, to confirm the date.
Can I look up West Greenwich probate records online?
Yes. West Greenwich publishes an online probate records database at https://www.searchiqs.com/RIWGREE/. The town says the database covers February 2023 to the present and says to call the office for probates before 2023.
Can I file a West Greenwich probate case electronically?
Plan on paper filing. West Greenwich's page and fee checklist describe written petitions and original documents, and Rhode Island statutes assume a written petition, an original will when required, and payment before filing with a written receipt under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-1, 33-24-2 and 33-22-21.
How much does it cost to open probate in West Greenwich?
Rhode Island sets the statutory petition fee at one percent of the decedent's personal property, with a $30 minimum and a $1,500 maximum, figures unchanged since at least 1996 under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-21. West Greenwich's schedule dated July 1, 2025 adds local charges and lists $104.00 for an advertised will or administration petition and $69.00 for the same petition on waiver under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22 and 33-22-11.
What forms does West Greenwich use?
West Greenwich uses Rhode Island's statewide PC probate forms, which the Secretary of State publishes free under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-16. The town also posts a local filing checklist dated July 1, 2025 that tells filers which supporting documents to include.
Does the West Greenwich clerk help me complete the forms?
No. The town's page says court staff cannot give legal advice or help complete probate forms. The probate clerk keeps court records under R.I. Gen. Laws 8-9-7, but legal strategy and form completion should come from your own preparation or counsel.
Do I need to travel to West Greenwich for a hearing?
If your matter is set for hearing, use the notice and call the probate clerk before making travel plans. West Greenwich publishes Council Chambers sessions at 6:30 p.m., usually on the second Wednesday, and waiver filings under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22 may reduce notice and advertising steps under R.I. Gen. Laws 33-22-11.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.