reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 15-5-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-3 - Separation of parties as ground for dissolution - Appeal.

§ 15-5-3. Separation of parties as ground for dissolution — Appeal.(a) Whenever, in the trial of any complaint for divorce from the bond of marriage or any complaint for dissolution of a marriage, it shall be alleged in the complaint that the parties have lived separate and apart from each other for the space of at least three (3) years, whether voluntarily or involuntary, the court shall, upon a finding that the allegation is true, enter a decision pending entry of final judgment of divorce, which may include provisions for alimony.(b) Final judgment shall not be entered until the expiration of twenty (20) days after entry of the decision pending entry of final judgment or, if the time for taking an appeal has been extended pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure, Article I, Rule 4 of the Supreme Court Rules, until the expiration of the extended period.(c) Final judgment may be entered ex parte and in chamber on the suggestion of the prevailing party.(d) If no final judgment is presented to the court for entry within one hundred eighty (180) days next after the expiration of twenty (20) days from the date of decision, a final judgment may be entered only in open court and on motion or written consent of the attorneys or parties.(e) Notice of the filing of the motion shall not be required in cases in which the original complaint is unanswered.(f) The taking of an appeal shall operate as a stay of the judgment during the pendency of the appeal. Upon motion and for good cause shown:(1) The family court may, prior to the filing of a notice of appeal, order that the judgment become final and operative immediately; and(2) The supreme court may, in the event an appeal is taken, vacate the automatic stay provided under this section.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-3; P.L. 1972, ch. 214, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 338, § 1; P.L. 1977, ch. 104, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 329, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 233, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 404, § 9; P.L. 2016, ch. 13, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 14, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-3.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-3.1 - Divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences.

§ 15-5-3.1. Divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences.(a) A divorce from the bonds of matrimony shall be decreed, irrespective of the fault of either party, on the ground of irreconcilable differences which have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage.(b) In any pleading or hearing for divorce under this section, allegations or evidence of specific acts of misconduct shall be improper and inadmissible, except for the purpose of making a determination pursuant to §§ 15-5-16 and 15-5-16.1, or where child custody is in issue and the evidence is relevant to establish that parental custody would be detrimental to the child, or at a hearing where it is determined by the court to be necessary to establish the existence of irreconcilable differences.(c) Upon hearing of an action for divorce under this section, the acts of one party shall not negate the acts of the other nor bar the divorce decree.History of Section.P.L. 1975, ch. 287, § 1; 1976, ch. 294, § 2; P.L. 1979, ch. 279, § 3.
RI Gen L § 15-5-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-4 - Collusion of parties.

§ 15-5-4. Collusion of parties.Whenever it appears that the absence, adultery, cruelty, desertion, or other cause of complaint was committed or occasioned by the collusion of the parties, and done or contrived with an intention to procure a divorce, no divorce shall be decreed.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-4.
RI Gen L § 15-5-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-5 - Uncorroborated testimony of complainant.

§ 15-5-5. Uncorroborated testimony of complainant.Whenever the act or acts giving rise to the cause for divorce are of a nature that the complaining party could not ordinarily produce corroborating testimony, the court may, in its discretion, if it is satisfied of the existence of the cause in question, the proof in other respects being satisfactory, grant the divorce on the testimony of the complaining party alone.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 2; P.L. 1939, ch. 707, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-5; P.L. 2004, ch. 6, § 25.
RI Gen L § 15-5-6 - 15-5-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-6 - 15-5-8 - Repealed.

§ 15-5-6 — 15-5-8. Repealed.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, §§ 5-7; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, §§ 5-7; P.L. 1917, ch. 1532, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, §§ 5-7; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, §§ 5-7; G.L. 1956, §§ 15-5-6 — 15-5-8; P.L. 1958, ch. 90, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1979, ch. 279, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-9 - Divorce from bed and board.

§ 15-5-9. Divorce from bed and board.Divorces from bed, board, and future cohabitation, until the parties are reconciled, may be granted for any of the causes for which by law a divorce from the bond of marriage may be decreed, and for other causes which may seem to require a divorce from bed and board; provided, the petitioner is a domiciled inhabitant of this state and has resided in this state for a length of time that, to the court in its discretion, seems to warrant the exercise of the powers in this section conferred. In case of a divorce from bed, board, and future cohabitation, the court may assign to the petitioner a separate maintenance out of the estate or property of the husband or wife, as the case may be, in a manner and of an amount as it may think necessary or proper.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 8; P.L. 1902, ch. 971, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 8; P.L. 1954, ch. 3308, § 1; P.L. 1956, ch. 3692, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-9.
RI Gen L § 15-5-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-10 - Disposal of certain real estate after filing of complaint.

§ 15-5-10. Disposal of certain real estate after filing of complaint.At any time after the filing of a complaint for divorce from bed, board, and future cohabitation, and until a decree of reconciliation has been entered, the court, upon the petition of either party seized in his or her own right of real estate in Rhode Island, after notice to the opposing party, after a hearing on the petition, may, if the court finds that justice and the best interests of the party require, enter a decree permitting the party to sell, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of the real estate free of the rights of life estates created by chapter 25 of title 33 of the opposing party. The decree shall contain a description of the real estate sufficient to identify it either by reference to a recorded plat or otherwise, and a certified copy of the decree shall be recorded in the records of land evidence of the city or town in which the real estate is located.History of Section.P.L. 1956, ch. 3692, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-10; P.L. 1979, ch. 373, § 11.
RI Gen L § 15-5-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-11 - Verification of complaint.

§ 15-5-11. Verification of complaint.Every complaint shall be verified by the plaintiff, if of sound mind and of legal age to consent to marriage; otherwise, upon application to the court and after notice to the party in whose name the complaint is filed, the court may allow the complaint to be verified by a resident guardian or next friend.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 9; P.L. 1902, ch. 971, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 9; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-11; P.L. 1979, ch. 373, § 11.
RI Gen L § 15-5-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-12 - Domicile and residence requirements.

§ 15-5-12. Domicile and residence requirements.(a) No complaint for divorce from the bond of marriage shall be granted unless the plaintiff has been a domiciled inhabitant of this state and has resided in this state for a period of one year next before the filing of the complaint; provided, that if the defendant has been a domiciled inhabitant of this state and has resided in this state for the period of one year next before the filing of the complaint, and is actually served with process, the requirement of this subsection as to domicile and residence on the part of the plaintiff is deemed satisfied and fulfilled. The residence and domicile of any person immediately prior to the commencement of his or her active service as a member of the armed forces or of the merchant marine of the United States, or immediately prior to his or her absence from the state in the performance of services in connection with military operations as defined in subsection (c) of this section, shall, for the purposes of this section, continue to be his or her residence and domicile during the time of his or her service and for a period of thirty (30) days after this. Testimony to prove domicile and residence may be received through the ex parte affidavit of one witness.(b) Every word importing the masculine gender only shall be construed in this section to extend to and include females as well as males.(c) The term "services in connection with military operations" shall be construed in this section to include persons serving with the American Red Cross, the Society of Friends, the Women's Auxiliary Service Pilots, and the United Service Organizations.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 10; P.L. 1902, ch. 971, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 10; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 10; P.L. 1946, ch. 1682, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-12; P.L. 1975, ch. 214, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 373, § 11; P.L. 1996, ch. 145, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 6, § 25.
RI Gen L § 15-5-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-13 - Venue.

§ 15-5-13. Venue.(a) All complaints for divorce from the bond of marriage and from bed and board and complaints for relief without commencement of divorce proceedings shall be filed in the county in which the plaintiff is residing, unless the complaint is based upon the residence of the defendant, in which case the complaint shall be filed in Providence County or in the county in which the defendant resides.(b) All complaints for divorce from the bond of marriage and from bed and board and complaints for relief without commencement of divorce proceedings may be tried and heard in the county in which the plaintiff resides, unless the complaint is based upon the residence of the defendant, in which case the complaint may be heard and tried in Providence County or in the county in which the defendant resides. In the interest of convenience, the court may, with the consent of the chief judge of the family court or any associate justice designated by him or her and the parties, order any such actions transferred to another county.(c) The chief judge of the family court, or his or her designee, in accordance with the provisions of the Family Court Act, § 8-10-14, may order any complaint for divorce from the bond of marriage and from bed and board and complaints for relief without commencement of divorce proceedings to be transferred to Providence County for trial on the merits should it be determined by the trial judge in the county in which the action was originally brought that the trial would require a minimum of three (3) court days for testimony. Any complaint, which is transferred under this section, shall have priority on the trial calendar in Providence County.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 11; P.L. 1906, ch. 1304, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 11; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 11; P.L. 1942, ch. 1252, § 1; P.L. 1950, ch. 2493, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-13; P.L. 1969, ch. 65, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 373, § 11; P.L. 1982, ch. 234, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 219, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-14 - Return day of complaints - Notice - Issuance of process - Time of hearing.

§ 15-5-14. Return day of complaints — Notice — Issuance of process — Time of hearing.The court may, by general rule:(1) Determine the return day of complaints for divorce;(2) Prescribe the notice to be given, within or without the state, on all complaints for divorce;(3) May issue any process that may be necessary to carry into effect all powers conferred upon the court in relation to complaints and divorce; and(4) Fix the times when all complaints for divorce shall be heard. These general rules shall be subject to special orders that the court may make in special cases.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 12; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 12; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 12; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-14; P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 7; P.L. 1987, ch. 134, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 171, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 264, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-15 - Orders as to notice.

§ 15-5-15. Orders as to notice.Whenever any petition for divorce has been filed or is pending in the family court, and the court is of the opinion that sufficient notice of the pendency of the petition has not, from any cause, been given to the adverse party, the court may order notice or further notice to the adverse party to be given in the manner that the court may prescribe.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 13; C.P.A. 1905, § 1220; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 13; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-15; P.L. 1982, ch. 63, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.2.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.2.1 - Credit rating.

§ 15-5-16.2.1. Credit rating.Credit bureaus are required to take into consideration a non-custodial parent's child support obligations and his or her delinquencies in this regard, and these delinquencies shall be verified by either the court or by the bureau of family support.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 406, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.2.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.2.2 - Service of court papers at work.

§ 15-5-16.2.2. Service of court papers at work.No employer in this state is permitted to refuse or obstruct the service of family court process relating to child or spousal support upon an employee at the place of employment and the service shall not be grounds for dismissal of the employee. The employer may designate an area where the service may be effected.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 406, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 407, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.2.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.2.3 - Continuances - Compensation for lost wages.

§ 15-5-16.2.3. Continuances — Compensation for lost wages.In any matter related to child support or support for a custodial parent having custody of a minor child, except when a continuance is mutually agreed upon, the court may, in its discretion, order a party requesting a continuance to compensate the other party for wages lost as a result of court attendance.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 406, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 407, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.2.4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.2.4 - Retroactive modification of child support.

§ 15-5-16.2.4. Retroactive modification of child support.Notwithstanding the provisions of § 15-5-16.2, the court, in its discretion, may modify a child support order retroactively only to the date that notice of a petition to modify was given to the adverse party if it finds that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred. The court shall set forth in its decision the specific findings of fact which show a substantial change in circumstances and upon which findings of fact the court has decided to make its order of modification retroactive. The court, in its discretion, may for good cause shown suspend payment of child support arrearages until there is a finding by the court of financial ability to make payment on arrearages; provided, that incarceration for nonpayment of child support shall not constitute good cause to suspend payment of child support or child support arrearages.History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 164, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 477, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 287, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.2.5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.2.5 - Repealed.

§ 15-5-16.2.5. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 29, § 5; P.L. 1995, ch. 374, § 5; P.L. 1997, ch. 170, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2002, ch. 314, § 2, effective October 1, 2002. For present comparable provisions, see chapter 29 of this title.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.3 - Allowance regarded as judgment for debt.

§ 15-5-16.3. Allowance regarded as judgment for debt.Any allowance or order made by the family court pursuant to §§ 15-5-16 and 15-5-16.2 shall be regarded as a judgment for debt so that suits may be brought or executions may issue on it for amounts due and unpaid, from time to time, to be shown by affidavits of the person entitled to the amounts due and the attorney of record of the person, the executions to run against the goods and chattels of the husband or wife, as the case may be; and the court may make all necessary orders and decrees concerning the suits or executions, and the court at any time may alter, amend, and annul for sufficient cause, after notice to the interested parties.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 279, § 2.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.4 - Judgment assigning real property - Effect.

§ 15-5-16.4. Judgment assigning real property — Effect.Whenever the assignment of real property is ordered by the family court pursuant to § 15-5-16.1 and the court directs that a deed, conveyance, or release of any real estate or interest in real estate shall be made, the judgment shall create an equitable right to its enforcement, subject to the provisions for recording of notice in chapter 13 of title 34, in the party entitled to the assignment by judgment; and if the judgment has not been complied with at the time the judgment of divorce becomes final and the judgment is subsequently recorded in the manner provided for in chapter 13 of title 34, then the judgment shall operate to vest title to the real estate or interest in the real estate in the party entitled to it by the judgment as fully and completely as if the deed, conveyance, or release had been duly executed by the party directed to make it.History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 279, § 2.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.5 - Interest on arrearages.

§ 15-5-16.5. Interest on arrearages.Interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum on any support debt due or owing, child or spousal support, shall be assessed unless the responsible party shall, for good cause shown, be relieved of the obligation to pay interest by the family court.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 308, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 167, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 155, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.6 - Security, bond, or guarantee to secure payment of overdue support.

§ 15-5-16.6. Security, bond, or guarantee to secure payment of overdue support.(a) In a proceeding to enforce overdue support, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, the court or its magistrate, after a hearing and a finding of overdue support, may require an obligor parent to give security, post a bond, or give some other guarantee to secure payment of overdue support; the security, bond, or guarantee is to be in any amount, for any term, and upon any conditions that the court or magistrate shall deem necessary or advisable. The court may order that the security, bond, or other guarantee be deposited into the registry of the family court. The obligor parent shall be served with the notice of any proceeding under this section and the notice shall state the procedures to contest the action.(b) For purposes of this section, "overdue support" means a delinquency pursuant to an obligation determined under a court order, or an order of an administrative process established under the law of any state, for:(1) Support and maintenance of a minor child, which is owed to or on behalf of the child; or(2) Support and maintenance of the obligor parent's spouse or former spouse with whom the child is living.History of Section.P.L. 1986, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 442, § 8.
RI Gen L § 15-5-16.7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-16.7 - Review of child support orders.

§ 15-5-16.7. Review of child support orders.(a) For purposes of this section, a "child support order" means a child support order enforceable pursuant to the Rhode Island state plan for support enforcement as further defined in § 15-16-5(a).(b) Every three (3) years from the date the child support order was established or modified, and upon the request of either party, or upon the request of the state pursuant to § 15-5-16.2(c)(3), the court shall review and, if appropriate, adjust the order in accordance with the child support guidelines if the amount of the child support award under the order differs from the amount that would be awarded in accordance with the guidelines. The adjustment of the order shall be made under this subsection without a requirement for proof or showing of a change in circumstances. In adjusting the order, incarceration may not be treated as voluntary unemployment that would prevent the motion from being heard or result in a denial of the motion. The periodic review of child support orders as provided in this subsection is in addition to the opportunity for review provided in § 15-5-16.2(c).(c) In the case of a request for a review before the three-year (3) period, upon the request of either party, or upon the request of the state pursuant to § 15-5-16.2(c)(3), the amount of support may, in the court's discretion, be modified if the court finds that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred in accordance with § 15-5-16.2. The court, in its discretion, may modify a child support order retroactively only to the date that notice of a petition to modify was given to the adverse party if the court finds that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred; provided, that the court shall set forth in its decision the specific findings of fact that show a substantial change in circumstances and upon which findings of facts the court has decided to make the decree retroactive.History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 177, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 263, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 170, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 166, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 311, § 1.