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Free Divorce Papers
For Rhode Island

Rhode Island's divorce is not final when the judge says so — a 90-day nisi period runs first, and the judgment stays provisional until it expires.

Reviewed by our editorial team Based on official state court forms

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free divorce papers for rhode island
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Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms

Document Templates

Rhode Island divorce template samples

Expand a template below to see exactly what's included before you fill it in.

Uncontested Divorce Sample See the full text of the agreement both spouses sign together.

Complaint for Divorce — Uncontested

IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, DIVISION OF [1. County] Docket No. [2. Case Number] [3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant. Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:

Jurisdiction and Residency

Plaintiff has been a resident of the State of Rhode Island for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-12. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.

Grounds for Divorce

Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties which have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-3.1. The marriage should be dissolved.

Property and Debt Division

The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [8. Property and Debt Division Terms]

Alimony

The parties have agreed that alimony shall be as follows: [9. Alimony Terms]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court: (a) enter a Judgment of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties; (b) approve the parties' agreement regarding property, debts, and alimony; (c) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and (d) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. Dated: [11. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce Sample See how disputed terms are laid out before you fill anything in.

Complaint for Divorce — Contested

IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, DIVISION OF [1. County] Docket No. [2. Case Number] [3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant. Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:

Jurisdiction and Residency

Plaintiff has been a resident of the State of Rhode Island for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-12. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.

Grounds for Divorce

Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties which have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-3.1. The marriage should be dissolved.

Property and Debt Division

The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that this Court equitably distribute the parties' marital property and debts in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [8. Property and Debt Description]

Alimony

The parties are unable to agree on alimony. Plaintiff requests that the Court award alimony in an amount and for a duration that is just and equitable, considering the factors set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.1. Relevant facts include: [9. Alimony Facts]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court: (a) enter a Judgment of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties; (b) equitably distribute the parties' marital property and debts; (c) award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable; (d) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and (e) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. Dated: [11. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Uncontested Divorce with Children Sample See the agreement plus the parenting plan section in full.

Complaint for Divorce — Uncontested with Children

IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, DIVISION OF [1. County] Docket No. [2. Case Number] [3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant. Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:

Jurisdiction and Residency

Plaintiff has been a resident of the State of Rhode Island for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-12. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].

Grounds for Divorce

Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties which have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-3.1. The marriage should be dissolved.

Custody and Parenting Plan

The parties have reached a full agreement regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren), in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16. The agreed parenting plan is as follows: [10. Parenting Plan Terms]

Child Support

The parties have reached an agreement on child support consistent with the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2). The agreed monthly child support amount is [11. Child Support Amount], payable by [12. Paying Parent] to [13. Receiving Parent]. Additional terms: [14. Child Support Additional Terms]

Medical and Childcare Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be shared as follows: [15. Medical and Childcare Terms]

Property and Debt Division

The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [16. Property and Debt Division Terms]

Alimony

The parties have agreed that alimony shall be as follows: [17. Alimony Terms]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court: (a) enter a Judgment of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties; (b) approve the parties' parenting plan regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren); (c) order child support in accordance with the parties' agreement and the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines; (d) approve the parties' property and debt division; (e) restore Plaintiff's former name of [18. Former Name], if requested; and (f) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. Dated: [19. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. Executed this [20. Execution Date] day of [21. Execution Month, Year], at [22. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce with Children Sample See how custody and parenting terms appear in the full document.

Complaint for Divorce — Contested with Children

IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, DIVISION OF [1. County] Docket No. [2. Case Number] [3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant. Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:

Jurisdiction and Residency

Plaintiff has been a resident of the State of Rhode Island for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-12. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].

Grounds for Divorce

Irreconcilable differences exist between the parties which have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-3.1. The marriage should be dissolved.

Custody and Parenting Plan

The parties are unable to agree on legal or physical custody of the minor child(ren). Plaintiff requests that the Court award custody and establish a parenting plan in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16. Relevant facts include: [10. Custody Dispute Facts]

Child Support

The parties are unable to agree on child support. Plaintiff requests that the Court order child support in accordance with the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2). Relevant facts include: [11. Child Support Facts]

Medical, Dental, and Childcare Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be allocated as follows, or as the Court determines equitable: [12. Medical and Childcare Terms]

Property and Debt Division

The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that the Court equitably distribute the parties' marital property and debts in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [13. Property and Debt Description]

Alimony

The parties are unable to agree on alimony. Plaintiff requests that the Court award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.1. Relevant facts include: [14. Alimony Facts]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court: (a) enter a Judgment of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties; (b) determine legal and physical custody and establish a parenting plan in the best interests of the minor child(ren); (c) order child support in accordance with the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines; (d) equitably distribute the parties' marital property and debts; (e) award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable; (f) restore Plaintiff's former name of [15. Former Name], if requested; and (g) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. Dated: [16. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. Executed this [17. Execution Date] day of [18. Execution Month, Year], at [19. City and State of Execution].
At a Glance

Rhode Island divorce at a glance

Residency requirement 1 year
Waiting period 90 days (Nisi)
Filing fee $120
Grounds accepted Irreconcilable differences (no-fault)
Official forms FC-56 (Complaint for Divorce), DR-6 (Financial Statement)

Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.

Overview

Divorce in Rhode Island: the nisi wait

Rhode Island adds a step most states dropped long ago: the nisi period. After the Family Court grants the divorce, a mandatory 90 days must pass before the judgment becomes final — and even then it does not happen automatically. The filer must submit the Decision Pending Entry of Final Judgment paperwork to close the case. Couples using the three-year separate-and-apart ground get a shorter 21-day nisi, but the standard route runs the full 90.

The no-fault ground is irreconcilable differences under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-3.1, used in about 90% of cases. Filing requires one year as a domiciled inhabitant and resident of the state under § 15-5-12, with a military exception and an alternative path keyed to the defendant’s residency. The Complaint for Divorce (Form FC-56) goes to the Family Court, alongside a summons, a verification form, and Form DR-6, the financial statement.

Property is divided equitably, and alimony is called alimony. Child support follows the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines, and custody is decided under the best interests standard. The filing fee is $120 — among the lowest in New England — and the Family Court’s Guide and File system walks self-represented filers through the paperwork.

Official court source: Rhode Island Courts (Family Court)