Rhode Island Divorce Without Children (2026)

With no minor children, a Rhode Island agreed divorce focuses on property, debts, and alimony — with no Parenting Plan requirement.

Overview

The Agreed Divorce Process (No Children)

1. Confirm residency: 1 year in Rhode Island — or 6 months if married in Rhode Island
2. Inventory all marital and separate property
3. Both parties complete Financial Statements (required)
4. Draft and finalize the Property Settlement Agreement; both sign and notarize
5. Obtain forms from courts.ri.gov/Courts/FamilyCourt/Pages/Forms.aspx
6. File Complaint and Financial Statements at Family Court; pay $160
7. Serve Respondent (or get Acceptance of Service)
8. No waiting period — schedule final hearing
9. Appear; judge reviews Financial Statements and Property Settlement Agreement; Final Judgment entered

Property Settlement Agreement — What to Cover (No Children)

Marital Real Property

For each property:

• Legal description; agreed FMV; mortgage balance; marital equity
• Assignment: one keeps (buyout; refinancing deadline; fallback; Quitclaim Deed → RI Land Evidence Records) or sale (proceeds split; timeline)

Marital Financial Accounts

• Institution, type, balance; assignment; transfer

Retirement Accounts

• QDRO for employer plans (marital portion from marriage to separation)
• IRA: transfer incident to divorce
• ERSRI: DRO after Final Judgment — ersri.org

Vehicles

• Assignment; loan assumption; Rhode Island DMV title transfer

Marital Debts

• Creditor, balance, who assumes, indemnification

Alimony

Award — or explicit waiver: "Each party waives any and all claims for alimony, now and forever."

Separate Property Acknowledgment

State each spouse's separate property explicitly; confirm it remains with that spouse.

Financial Statement Still Required (No Children)

Even with no children and no alimony dispute, both parties must file their Financial Statements — mandatory in all Rhode Island divorce cases.

Last reviewed: March 2026 | 1-year residency (6-month exception if married in RI) | No waiting period | No parent requirement (no children) | Financial Statement required — all cases | $160 fee | Family Court — statewide | Equitable distribution | RI Land Evidence Records — city/town level | courts.ri.gov/Courts/FamilyCourt/Pages/Forms.aspx | rils.org

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.