Rhode Island Divorce Forms and Papers

To Download our Rhode Island Divorce Forms start by clicking the image of Rhode Island to your right. There you will be able to download all of the forms and step by step guides needed to easily file for a divorce in Rhode Island. All of our Divorce documents are Rhode Island family law court approved, guaranteed!

Rhode Island Divorce terms and procedures are unique, as are all state by state divorce procedures, so please be sure to review them prior to ordering your Divorce Forms

If you meet the Rhode Island State requirements for Divorce please proceed to order your divorce documents.

Rhode Island Residency Requirements

One spouse must have been a resident of Rhode Island for at least one year before filing for a divorce.

Grounds for Divorce In Rhode Island

The following no-fault grounds for divorce in Rhode Island are:

irreconcilable differences which have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage.

The following are some of the fault based grounds:

adultery;
impotence;
alcoholism/substance abuse;
willful desertion for five years;
gross neglect;
extreme cruelty.

Rhode Island Child Custody

Custody may be granted to either parent or joint custody may be agreed upon by the parties or awarded by the court. Joint custody affords the parties equal decision making power, but not necessarily equal time with the child.

Factors to consider in making child custody decisions include:

age and sex of the child;
safety and well being of the child;
character and experience of the parents;
desires of a mature child.

Child Support

Rhode Island has adopted child support guidelines which apply in virtually every case, unless special circumstances are present. The child support calculation takes into consideration the gross income of both parties, and certain child related expenses. Child support will continue until the child reaches the age of majority, and may be extended through his or her secondary education.

Venue

Commencement of a divorce proceeding shall generally be filed in the county in which the plaintiff is residing.

Mediation

In any petition for divorce the Family Court may direct the parties to participate in mediation in an effort to resolve their differences regarding custody and visitation.

The parties may agree to submit any or all of their disputed issues to mediation, before or after a divorce is initiated. The agreements reached in mediation may allow the parties to proceed in court on an uncontested basis.