Allows an owner or owners of real property to execute a deed that names one or more beneficiaries who will obtain title to the property at the owner's death without the necessity of probate.

Rhode Island Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act

This bill would give Rhode Island property owners a new legal tool called a "transfer on death deed" (sometimes called a TOD deed). Using this type of deed, a homeowner or landowner can officially name one or more people — such as a family member or friend — who will automatically receive ownership of the property when the owner dies. The key benefit is that this transfer would happen without going through probate, which is the often lengthy and costly court process that typically handles the distribution of a deceased person's assets.

Under current Rhode Island law, real estate generally must pass through probate court before ownership can be transferred to heirs, even if the deceased person's wishes were clearly stated in a will. This bill would allow property owners to bypass that process entirely for real estate, simply by filing a properly completed transfer on death deed while they are still alive. Importantly, the owner keeps full control of the property during their lifetime — they can sell it, mortgage it, or even cancel the deed — and the named beneficiary has no rights to the property until the owner passes away.

This bill would primarily affect Rhode Island homeowners, landowners, and their families or intended heirs. It could save beneficiaries significant time and legal fees by avoiding probate, and it gives property owners a simpler, more direct way to plan for what happens to their real estate after death. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.