RI · Will Requirements
Will Requirements in Rhode Island (2026)
A will in Rhode Island requires 2 witnesses and does not require notarization. You must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. Rhode Island does not accept handwritten (holographic) wills, and electronic wills are not valid here. A self-proving affidavit is available: your witnesses sign a sworn statement before a notary, and the will can then be admitted to probate without them appearing in court. Will execution is governed by R.I. Gen. Laws §33-5-5.
Here's what Rhode Island says you need to make your last wishes actually count. Spoiler: it's not as bad as you think.
What does a valid will in Rhode Island require?
| Requirement | Rhode Island rule |
|---|---|
| Witnesses required | 2 |
| Notarization | Not required |
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Not recognized |
| Electronic wills | Not recognized |
| Self-proving affidavit | Available |
| Governing statute | R.I. Gen. Laws §33-5-5 |
| Probate threshold | $15,000 |
| Property system | Common law |
| State estate tax | Yes |
| State inheritance tax | No |
How do you make a will legally valid in Rhode Island?
- Be at least 18 and of sound mind.
- Put it in writing and sign it yourself.
- Have 2 witnesses watch you sign, then have them sign the will too. Don't pick someone who inherits under it.
- A notary isn't required in Rhode Island, but one is worth finding anyway.
- Attach a self-proving affidavit so your witnesses never have to show up in probate court.
So you’ve decided to finally write a will in Rhode Island. Congratulations on acknowledging your own mortality. Most people can’t even manage that. Here’s what RI law requires to make sure your last wishes actually hold up in court instead of becoming an expensive piece of creative writing.
The basic requirements
Rhode Island requires 2 witnesses to make your will valid. Good news: Rhode Island doesn’t require a notary for your will, though getting one makes it self-proving and saves your executor a headache later. You must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind, though if you’ve been putting this off for years, the “sound mind” part is debatable.
Rhode Island supports self-proving affidavits, which means if you get your witnesses to sign a sworn statement with a notary, they won’t have to show up in court later to confirm they watched you sign. Future-you’s executor will thank present-you.
Handwritten and electronic wills
Rhode Island does NOT accept holographic (handwritten) wills, so put down the napkin and the crayon. Electronic wills aren’t recognized in Rhode Island yet, so you’ll need actual paper like it’s 1995.
What Rhode Island law says about your stuff
Under R.I. Gen. Laws §33-5-5, if you die without a will in Rhode Island, your assets get distributed according to intestacy laws, basically, the state’s default settings for dead people. These defaults rarely match what anyone actually wants.
The bottom line
A valid will in Rhode Island isn’t complicated, but it does need to follow the rules. 2 witnesses, your signature, and a clear head. Skip any of these and you might as well not bother, your family will be stuck in probate court arguing about who gets the good china while lawyers bill $300 an hour to watch.
How much does a will cost in Rhode Island?
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What else do people ask about wills in Rhode Island?
How many witnesses do I need for a will in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island requires 2 witnesses for a valid will. They need to be competent adults who watch you sign and then sign the will themselves. Pro tip: don't pick someone who's inheriting, that's a conflict of interest that could invalidate their share.
Does Rhode Island require a notary for wills?
No, Rhode Island doesn't require a notary for your will to be valid. However, getting a notarized self-proving affidavit means your witnesses won't have to testify in court later, worth the extra step.
Are handwritten wills valid in Rhode Island?
No, Rhode Island does not recognize holographic (handwritten) wills. Your will needs to be typed and properly witnessed to be valid.
What is the minimum age to make a will in Rhode Island?
You must be at least 18 years old to make a will in Rhode Island. If you're 18 and already thinking about your will, you're either incredibly responsible or having a really rough week.
What other Rhode Island documents do you need?
What does estate planning in Rhode Island cover?
Everything RI residents need to know about estate planning, without the lawyer-speak or the $1000 attorney bill.
Do you need a Rhode Island power of attorney?
Rhode Island POAs are durable by default. Notarization required.
Do you need a Rhode Island healthcare directive?
Rhode Island requires 2 witnesses for healthcare directives. No notary required.
How do the rules compare in nearby states?
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Look, we're not lawyers (we're way more fun at parties). This is educational content about Rhode Island laws, not legal advice. If your situation is complicated (and let's be honest, whose isn't), talk to an actual attorney. We just make the paperwork less painful.
