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Divorce in Rhode Island: forms, cost, and how to file

A plain-English overview of getting an uncontested divorce in Rhode Island — the residency rule, the no-fault ground, the filing fee, and the official forms — from LawCat, a free service built by attorneys.

Official Rhode Island court forms →

Rhode Island divorce at a glance

Residency requirement
1 year in Rhode Island
No-fault ground
Irreconcilable differences (RIGL 15-5-3.1) or living separate 3+ years. Timeline: nominal hearing ~2.5 months after filing; final judgment cannot enter until 3 months after decision — ~5-6 months minimum total. Residency: 1 year in RI.
Filing fee
~$160 (Family Court divorce complaint; includes tech surcharge — verify current schedule). Fee waiver: in forma pauperis motion (125% FPL standard).
Child support
Income shares — RI Family Court Child Support Guidelines; official Form FC-78 Child Support Guideline Worksheet must be filed with divorce complaints involving children.
E-filing (self-represented)
RI Judiciary Electronic Filing System (Tyler Odyssey File & Serve, rhodeisland.tylertech.cloud) — mandatory for attorneys/parties generally, but self-represented litigants MAY e-file and are not…
County differences
LOW — one statewide Family Court (Providence/Kent/Washington/Newport locations), same forms everywhere.
Official statewide forms
PARTIAL YES — single statewide Family Court with official forms but no single branded 'uncontested packet': Complaint for Divorce (FC-56 / 'Complaint for Divorce or Divorce From Bed and Board'), Summons, DR-6 Statement…

Official source: Rhode Island court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.

Coming soon

Rhode Island document generation is on the way

LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Rhode Island. In the meantime, the official Rhode Island court forms are linked below.

Official Rhode Island forms → See how it works

Why LawCat is free

Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.

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Rhode Island divorce FAQ

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Rhode Island?

No. Rhode Island allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Rhode Island divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.

How long do I have to live in Rhode Island to file for divorce?

1 year in Rhode Island

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Rhode Island?

~$160 (Family Court divorce complaint; includes tech surcharge — verify current schedule). Fee waiver: in forma pauperis motion (125% FPL standard). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.

This page is general information about Rhode Island’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.