Rule 67.Deposit in Court — Registry.
Current through February 2024 · Last verified September 12, 2026
Full Text of Rule 67
Amendment History
Rhode Island does not publish a per-rule amendment history inside the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own February 2024 printing; for the underlying adopting orders and any later amendments, see the Rhode Island Judiciary’s compiled rules page.
Plain-English Summary
Subdivision (a) sets the conditions for handing money or property to the court instead of to a party. The case has to seek a judgment for a sum of money, the disposition of a sum of money, or the disposition of some other thing capable of delivery. A party may then deposit all or part of it with the court, but only on notice to every other party and by leave of court. No one puts funds into the registry on their own initiative.
Subdivision (b) says who holds the money and in what form. The clerk of the court in each county is the registrar for that county and has charge of all funds and things deposited in cases pending there, including funds received under Chapter 11.1 of Title 15, the full enforcement of support obligations chapter. Deposits come by certified or cashier's check only, payable to the Registry of the Family Court, and the clerk indorses them for deposit only. The account is designated by the Supreme Court Director of Finance in the name of the county's registry.
Getting money back out is the part to plan for. Withdrawal from that account happens only upon a written order of the court, and the order goes to the Supreme Court Finance Office for processing, so a release takes a judge's signature plus an administrative step beyond the courthouse counter. Subdivision (c) adds one piece of good news: the clerk charges no fee on amounts disbursed from the registry, whoever deposited them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay money to the court instead of to the other party?
Sometimes. Rule 67(a) allows a deposit where part of the relief sought is a judgment for a sum of money, the disposition of a sum of money, or the disposition of another thing capable of delivery, and then only on notice to every other party and by leave of court.
How do I get money out of the court registry?
Withdrawal from the registry account happens only upon a written order of the court. The order is sent to the Supreme Court Finance Office for processing, so the release runs through that office rather than the clerk's counter.
Can registry funds be paid by cash or personal check?
No. Funds deposited in the registry must be by certified or cashier's check only, payable to the Registry of the Family Court, and the clerk indorses them for deposit only.
Does the clerk charge a fee on money held in the registry?
No fees are charged by the clerk in any county from amounts disbursed from the registry. That holds for funds deposited by any person, firm, corporation or agency, whether public or private.
Who holds money deposited with the Family Court?
The clerk of the court in each county serves as the registrar for that county and has charge of all funds and things deposited in cases pending there. That includes funds received under Chapter 11.1 of Title 15, the full enforcement of support obligations chapter.