Rhode Island Real Estate Lawyer Blog

Buyers interested in purchasing a residential or commercial property in Rhode Island are able to use technology and the convenience of Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) to quickly and efficiently review property listings that may interest them. The MLS is a database created by two or more brokers that provides information about properties that are on…

States and municipalities often find it necessary to procure private lands in order to complete development or infrastructure projects. State laws in Rhode Island and other states are designed to encourage government entities and private landowners to reach an agreement for the purchase of private land when the government desires such land for a development…

A residential real estate transaction in Rhode Island is a complicated and delicate process that usually includes several professionals in addition to the buyer and seller. Purchases and sales of real estate also require the preparation and review of many documents, including an examination of a title for marketability, preparation of a deed, drafting a…

Access to water greatly affects the value of developed and undeveloped property in Rhode Island. In areas outside cities and towns that do not have access to municipal or other public water systems, wells may provide the only water for residential or commercial development. A recently decided appeal by a state Supreme Court demonstrates the…

Rhode Island tort law generally sets a statute of limitations that mandates when a claim can be pursued against an architect, developer, or construction company for defects in the construction of a building. If a Rhode Island construction lawsuit is not filed within the statute of limitations, a plaintiff will not be able to obtain…

A Rhode Island divorce can be an extremely difficult and complicated legal dispute, often because the stakes of a child custody dispute are always very high. Although there is limited statutory direction to guide the courts when awarding custody of a child to one parent or the other, the courts have developed legal principles that…

Short-term rentals offer a way for investors and homeowners to generate an income by renting out their property for a period of less than one month. Rhode Island short-term rentals can include vacation homes managed by the owner or an agency, as well as homes or parts of homes that are rented through Airbnb or…

The state and federal guidelines and regulations that have been established to protect Rhode Island tenants from eviction during a global pandemic have worked well to prevent homelessness among vulnerable populations and prevent the spread of Covid-19 that could be worsened by housing insecurity. Although the eviction moratoriums and other tenant protections were established to…

The federal Fair Housing Act, originally passed in 1964 and amended several times since its passage, protects Rhode Island home buyers and renters from certain types of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and age, among other protected statuses. Real estate agents, developers, property owners,…

Protecting familial assets from unnecessary taxation upon the death of a spouse, parent, or other beneficiary is one of the primary benefits of effective New England estate planning. Establishing trusts, wills, and other estate planning instruments is essential to protecting assets within a family. A recent decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Court demonstrates the importance…