Rhode Island Family Court Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure
Cited as R.Dom.Rel.P. · 76 active rules
Historical preface Introductory Notes on the 1995 discovery amendments →Rhode Island's Family Court follows these rules in every domestic relations case, from filing a complaint through final judgment and appeal. Summaries, FAQs and full rule text are being added rule by rule.
Plain-English guides Browse Rhode Island guides →Part I. Scope of Rules and Mandatory Electronic Filings – One Form of Action
Part II. Commencement of Action; Service of Process, Pleadings, Motions, and Orders
Part III. Pleadings and Motions
- Rule 7 Pleadings Allowed — Form of Motions.
- Rule 8 General Rules of Pleading.
- Rule 9 Pleading Special Matters.
- Rule 10 Form of Pleadings.
- Rule 11 Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and other papers; Sanctions.
- Rule 12 Defenses and Objections — When and How Presented — By Pleading or Motion — Motion for Judgment on Pleadings.
- Rule 13 Counterclaim and Cross-claim.
- Rule 14 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 15 Amended and Supplemental Pleadings.
- Rule 16 Pre-trial Procedure — Formulating Issues.
Part IV. Parties
- Rule 17 Parties Plaintiff and Defendant — Capacity.
- Rule 18 Joinder of Claims and Remedies.
- Rule 19 Necessary Joinder of Parties.
- Rule 20 Permissive Joinder of Parties.
- Rule 21 Misjoinder and Nonjoinder of Parties.
- Rule 22 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 23 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 24 Intervention.
- Rule 25 Substitution of Parties.
Part V. Depositions and Discovery
- Rule 26 General Provisions Governing Discovery; Duty of Disclosure.
- Rule 27 Depositions Pending Appeal.
- Rule 28 Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken.
- Rule 29 Stipulations Regarding the Taking of Depositions.
- Rule 30 Depositions Upon Oral Examination.
- Rule 31 Depositions of Witnesses Upon Written Questions.
- Rule 32 Use of Depositions in Court Proceedings.
- Rule 33 Interrogatories to Parties.
- Rule 34 Production of Documents and Things and Entry Upon Land for Inspection for Other Purposes.
- Rule 35 Physical and Mental Examination of Persons.
- Rule 36 Requests for Admission.
- Rule 37 Refusal to Make Discovery: Sanctions.
Part VI. Trials
- Rule 38 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 39 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 40 Assignment of Cases for Trial — Continuances.
- Rule 41 Dismissal of Actions.
- Rule 42 Consolidation — Separate Trials.
- Rule 43 Evidence.
- Rule 44 Proof of Official Record.
- Rule 45 Subpoena.
- Rule 46 Exceptions Unnecessary.
- Rule 47 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 48 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 49 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 50 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 51 Argument of Counsel.
- Rule 52 Findings by the Court.
- Rule 53 Masters.
- Rule 53A Reserved. Reserved
Part VII. Judgment
- Rule 54 Judgment — Costs.
- Rule 55 Default.
- Rule 56 Summary Judgment.
- Rule 57 Declaratory Judgments.
- Rule 58 Entry of Judgment.
- Rule 59 New Trials — Amendment of Judgments.
- Rule 60 Relief From Judgment or Order.
- Rule 61 Harmless Error.
- Rule 62 Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment.
- Rule 63 Inability of a Judicial Officer to Proceed.
Part VIII. Provisional and Final Remedies and Special Proceedings
- Rule 64 Temporary Support, Custody, Legal Fees — Expedited Hearings.
- Rule 64A Post Final Judgment Relief.
- Rule 65 Injunctions.
- Rule 66 Receivers.
- Rule 66A Commissioners.
- Rule 67 Deposit in Court — Registry.
- Rule 68 Offer of Judgment; Payment into Court.
- Rule 69 Execution.
- Rule 70 Judgment for Specific Acts.
- Rule 71 Process in Behalf of and Against Persons Not Parties.
- Rule 71A Adoption. Deleted
Part IX. Appeals
- Rule 72 Certification.
- Rule 73 Appeal from a Judgment, Order, or Decree of a General Magistrate or a Magistrate.
- Rule 74 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 75 Reserved. Reserved
- Rule 76 Reserved. Reserved
Part X. Family Court and Clerks
Part XI. Special Rules for Certain Actions
Part XII. General Provisions
Fourteen rules carry no operative text and are shown below for completeness: thirteen are marked "[Reserved]" in the source and rule 71A is marked "Adoption — Deleted." Rules 74 through 76 share a single printed line. The numbering is left undisturbed so that a citation to any rule lands where the court put it.
Source: Rhode Island Judiciary ·
Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-6-2) ·
Current through February 2024 ·
Official source