Rhode Island Real Estate Lawyer Blog

For many people seeking a divorce, the most desired result is simply the end of a marriage, and not much else needs to be determined. Most divorces in Rhode Island are not this simple. As part of the dissolution of a marriage, Rhode Island Law provides courts the authority to enter orders involving the couple’s…

Trespassing, or physically inhabiting a property without the consent of the owner, can be both a civil and criminal offense in Rhode Island. There are some interesting exceptions to this rule, one of which is the law of adverse possession. Adverse possession, as applied to real estate, is a legal doctrine that allows a trespasser…

The programs established by the federal and state government in response to the economic and public health effects of the Covid-19 pandemic had significant effects on Rhode Island property owners and landlords. Policies like the residential eviction moratorium placed restrictions on the rights of property owners. Other policies, such as Rhode Island’s rental assistance program,…

As development increases throughout Rhode Island, and the density of commercial and other development increases, conflicts and disputes can arise over access to businesses and parking. To ensure that existing buildings can maintain public access after new construction, municipalities, property owners and developers will issue easements to existing property owners, guaranteeing the use of the…

Public utilities such as water, power and sewer service are necessary for economic development and are commonly operated by municipal authorities. In some instances, a privately constructed and owned piece of utility infrastructure may be used by a municipality, although the owner of the property/equipment should be compensated for allowing the government to use the…

Rhode Island laws concerning condominium developments are designed to protect the individual owners of multi-unit residential real estate developments while allowing the development association as a whole to implement policies that benefit the ownership unit. Because the ownership of condominium developments is usually shared among two or more separate unit owners, disputes and conflicts are…

Rhode Island property owners know that some of the unfortunate side effects of property ownership include utility payments and property taxes. If a property owner fails to pay taxes or utilities for a significant period of time, the jurisdiction owed the monies may seek to perform a tax sale of the property. The proceeds of…

When a Rhode Island couple chooses to go through a divorce, one of the largest issues for the court to determine is the division of marital property between the parties. Bank accounts, retirement accounts, and financial instruments can usually be divided relatively easily, as their fair value can be readily determined. Real estate, personal property,…

With the U.S. economy appearing increasingly likely to enter a recession in the coming months, many real estate developers may face obstacles in completing projects. If demand in the real estate market drops and economic activity contracts, many development projects that may have been profitable in the past will no longer be economically feasible. Some…

Rhode Island residents have the right to care for and parent their children as they choose, with some restrictions. In situations where a parent is unable or unwilling to safely care for their child, the state of Rhode Island may get involved. The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has the authority…