reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 8-9-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-9 - General probate jurisdiction.

§ 8-9-9. General probate jurisdiction.Every probate court shall have jurisdiction in the town or city in which it is established of the probate of wills; the granting of administration, the appointment of custodians, of administrators, of guardians of persons and estates, or of persons only or of estates only, and of conservators; the accepting and allowing of bonds, inventories, and accounts of executors, administrators, and guardians; the granting of leave to sell at public or private sale, or to mortgage property, as hereinafter provided; of the making of partition of the real estate of deceased persons; of the adoption of persons eighteen (18) years of age or older; of change of names of persons; of the removal or filling of a vacancy of a trustee of any trust established under a will, or the termination of such trust; of setting off and allowing real estate and personal property to widows and surviving husbands; and of all other matters now within the jurisdiction of probate courts. The court shall have power to accept the resignation of, or to remove, any custodian, executor, administrator, or guardian, or any other person appointed by the court, and also power to do and transact all matters and things incidental to the jurisdiction and powers vested in probate courts by law. Every probate court shall have the power to follow the course of equity insofar as necessary to fulfill the mandates of title 33 of the General Laws, specifically: the replacement, removal, or filling of any vacancy of any trustee under a trust established under a will; or tax minimization or estate planning under § 33-15-37.1. The jurisdiction assumed in any case by the court, so far as it depends on the place of residence of a person, shall not be contested in any suit or proceedings except in the original case or on appeal therein or when the want of jurisdiction appears on the record.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 721; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 1; P.L. 1919, ch. 1787, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1944, ch. 1441, § 36; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-9; P.L. 1996, ch. 110, § 3.
RI Gen L § 8-9-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-10 - Appointment and supervision of temporary custodians of decedents' estates.

§ 8-9-10. Appointment and supervision of temporary custodians of decedents' estates.Every probate court may appoint any suitable person or persons as custodian or custodians to have the charge and care of the real and personal property of deceased persons, the settlement of whose estates is within the jurisdiction of the court, until letters testamentary or of administration are granted; the court may require the custodians to give bond to the court, with or without surety or sureties, in its discretion; the court may also, in its discretion, authorize the custodians to sell any property that may come to their possession by virtue of the appointment, and to take any other action that the court may direct. The custodians shall in all things be subject to the control of the court and act under its direction, and shall receive a reasonable compensation out of the estate.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 722; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 2; GL. 1938, ch. 569, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-10; P.L. 2000, ch. 353, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 105, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 136, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-9-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-11 - Power to take probate and grant administration of decedents' estates.

§ 8-9-11. Power to take probate and grant administration of decedents' estates.The probate court of any town or city shall take the probate of wills and grant administration on the estate of deceased persons who, at the time of their decease, were inhabitants of or residents in the town or city, and of other persons, not having any residence in this state, who die leaving rights, credits, or estates, real or personal, within the town or city; provided, that the first probate of the will, and the first grant of administration on the estate, of any deceased person who, at the time of his decease, was not an inhabitant of or resident within this state, shall bar any other probate or grant of administration, although the deceased person may have left rights, credits, or estates, real or personal, in any other town or city in this state.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 723; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-11.
RI Gen L § 8-9-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-12 - Payment of legacies.

§ 8-9-12. Payment of legacies.Probate courts may determine all questions as to the payments of legacies by executors and administrators with the will annexed and may allow such payments in the accounts of executors and administrators.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 724; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-12.
RI Gen L § 8-9-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-13 - Revocation or modification of warrants and commissions.

§ 8-9-13. Revocation or modification of warrants and commissions.Any warrant or commission for the appraisement of an estate, for examining claims against the estate of a deceased person, for the partition of real estate, or for the assignment of dower or other interest in real estate may be revoked by the court for sufficient cause; and the court may thereupon issue a new warrant or commission, or proceed otherwise, as the circumstances of the case shall require, or in the case of death, disability, or resignation of one or more of the appointees may supply vacancies occasioned thereby in such manner as the court shall deem best.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 725; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 5; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-13.
RI Gen L § 8-9-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-14 - Revocation or modification of orders or decrees.

§ 8-9-14. Revocation or modification of orders or decrees.Any probate court may modify or revoke any order or decree made by it on an uncontested application before appeal therefrom, or, if no appeal is taken, before the time for taking an appeal has expired, and, if made in reference to the settlement of any estate, also before the final settlement thereof, upon the written application of any person interested therein, and after notice of the time and place of hearing thereon appointed by the court, given in the manner prescribed by it, to the person having charge of the estate and to all other interested parties; and upon any modification or revocation, there shall be the same right of and time for appeal as in case of any other order or decree.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 726; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 6; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-14.
RI Gen L § 8-9-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-15 - Annulment of probate of will.

§ 8-9-15. Annulment of probate of will.When it shall appear to a probate court, pending proceedings before it for the settlement of an estate as a testate estate, that the will under which the proceedings were had has been revoked by the testator, the court shall have power to annul any order or decree proving the will so revoked and any other order or decree made by the court in the settlement of the estate under the will. The court shall have power to proceed with the settlement of the estate under a subsequent will, if there is one; or, if there is none, to grant administration on the estate and proceed with the settlement thereof as an intestate estate, after such notice to all parties in interest as the court shall order; but the preceding executor or administrator shall not be personally liable for any thing done by him or her in good faith and in the line of his or her duties before the decree of annulment.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 727; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 7; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-15.
RI Gen L § 8-9-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-16 - Confirmation of prior acts and proceedings.

§ 8-9-16. Confirmation of prior acts and proceedings.When the validity of an act or proceeding of a probate court, or of a person acting as executor, administrator, or guardian, is called in question by reason of an alleged irregularity, defective notice, or want or improper exercise of authority, any party interested in or affected by the act or proceeding may apply to the probate court having jurisdiction of the subject matter in respect to which the act or proceeding has been had; and the court, after such notice as it may order to all parties interested, may hear and determine the matter and confirm the act or proceeding, in whole or in part, and may authorize and empower the executor, administrator, guardian, or any successor, or other person who may be legally appointed to act in the same capacity, to confirm the act or proceeding and to execute and deliver such deeds, releases, conveyances, and other instruments as may be found necessary for that purpose; but no act or proceeding shall be confirmed which the court might not have authorized in the first instance upon due proceedings.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 728; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 8; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 8; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-16.
RI Gen L § 8-9-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-17 - Power to summon and receive evidence.

§ 8-9-17. Power to summon and receive evidence.Any probate court may require the attendance of any party or person, whom it may see fit to examine or cause to be examined in any proceeding pending in the court, and may examine or cause to be examined on oath parties and witnesses, either orally or on written interrogatories or both, or may receive their affidavits and may require any writings or other evidence pertinent in such proceedings to be produced before itself or otherwise, and may issue writs of subpoena ad testificandum, and of subpoena duces tecum.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 729; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 9; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 9; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-17.
RI Gen L § 8-9-17.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-17.1 - Subpoenas issued by other officials.

§ 8-9-17.1. Subpoenas issued by other officials.Justices of the peace and notaries public may issue subpoenas to witnesses and subpoenas duces tecum in any case pending before any probate court.History of Section.P.L. 1990, ch. 71, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 316, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-9-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-18 - Judicial aid in taking possession of property of estates.

§ 8-9-18. Judicial aid in taking possession of property of estates.If any person has or is suspected of having under his or her control any property or documents belonging to the estate of a deceased person or person under guardianship, or any thing which may tend to disclose the condition of the estate, and on demand therefor by the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or custodian refuses to deliver them to him or her without legal justification for the refusal; or if the person claims to have a lien thereon and refuses to disclose the amount and particulars of his or her claim; or if any person is suspected of having concealed, embezzled, or conveyed away any of the personal estate of the deceased person or ward, the probate court may, upon the written application of the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or custodian or any other party in interest, cite the person to appear before the court, and may examine him or her on oath concerning the matters complained of; and if he or she refuses to appear or to answer the interrogatories put to him or her by the court, it may adjudge him or her in contempt and may commit him or her therefor to the adult correctional institutions until he or she shall submit to the order of the court or be legally discharged. The person so examined shall not be excused from answering any question on the ground that his or her answer will tend to criminate him or her, but his or her answer shall not be used as evidence against him or her in any criminal prosecution except for perjury.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 730; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 10; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 10; impl. am. P.L. 1956, ch. 3721, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-18.
RI Gen L § 8-9-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-19 - Expense of commitment for failure to deliver property of estate.

§ 8-9-19. Expense of commitment for failure to deliver property of estate.The probate court shall ascertain the expenses occasioned by commitment as provided in § 8-9-18, and the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or custodian of the estate shall pay the expenses; and if the party paying the expenses shall afterwards recover judgment against the person committed, for any property withheld by him or her belonging to the estate, those expenses, as ascertained by the probate court, shall be taxed as part of the costs of the suit; or if the person after being imprisoned shall, without suit, surrender any effects belonging to the estate withheld by him or her, the executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, or custodian may recover from him or her the amount of the expenses.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 731; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 11; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 11; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-19.
RI Gen L § 8-9-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-20 - Right to counsel of person suspected of withholding property.

§ 8-9-20. Right to counsel of person suspected of withholding property.Upon the examination as provided in § 8-9-18, the person suspected may have counsel, who may examine and cross-examine him or her as to any matter deemed material arising in the course of the investigation.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 732; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 12; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 12; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-20.
RI Gen L § 8-9-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-21 - Contempt of court - Habeas corpus.

§ 8-9-21. Contempt of court — Habeas corpus.Every probate court may punish any contempt of its authority by fine or imprisonment or both. Every probate court may issue writs of habeas corpus to bring before it any person in jail to be examined as a witness in any suit or proceeding pending in the court, that the ends of justice may be attained, and for no other purpose.History of Section.C.P.A. 1905, § 733; G.L. 1909, ch. 307, § 13; P.L. 1910, ch. 585, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 358, § 13; G.L. 1938, ch. 569, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 8-9-21.
RI Gen L § 8-9-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-22 - Presumption of death from sea disaster.

§ 8-9-22. Presumption of death from sea disaster.If a person shall be lost in a sea disaster, the subject of which has been investigated by the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, or a similar agency in a foreign country, and after due and diligent search there was a finding by the Navy, Coast Guard, or similar agency that the person was lost in a sea disaster which finding is supported by testimony given by an eyewitness to the disaster, then any heir of the person may, after six (6) months of the date of the finding by the Navy, Coast Guard, or similar agency, produce the finding in the appropriate probate court and it shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the death of the person so as to allow for administration of his estate. Should more than one person be lost in the sea disaster, the Navy or Coast Guard or similar agency's finding shall be prima facie evidence of death even if not supported by eyewitness testimony.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 139, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-9-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-9 - Probate Courts|Section 8-9-23 - Missing person - Presumption of death.

§ 8-9-23. Missing person — Presumption of death.If a resident of this state has disappeared and has been absent from his or her usual place of residence and his or her whereabouts has been unknown for more than four (4) years, it shall be prima facie evidence that the person is dead so as to allow for the administration of his or her estate.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 139, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-10-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-10 - Family Court|Section 8-10-1 - Short title.

§ 8-10-1. Short title.This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Family Court Act."History of Section.P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-10-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-10 - Family Court|Section 8-10-2 - Purpose of chapter.

§ 8-10-2. Purpose of chapter.This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that families whose unity or well-being is threatened shall be assisted and protected, and restored, if possible, as secure units of law-abiding members; that each child coming within the jurisdiction of the family court shall receive the care, guidance and control which will conduce to his or her welfare and the best interests of the state; and that when a child is removed from the control of his or her parents, the family court shall secure for him or her care as nearly as possible equivalent to that which his or her parents should have given him or her.History of Section.P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-10-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-10 - Family Court|Section 8-10-4 - Criminal cases referred to family court.

§ 8-10-4. Criminal cases referred to family court.To the family court shall also be referred for hearing, adjustment, reconciliation, decision, and sentence all causes properly brought in the court or appealed from other courts in which the defendant is accused, as provided by the statutes, of abandonment of his wife or her husband or children, or both, leaving them in danger of becoming public charges; of neglect to provide according to their means for his wife or her husband or children, or both; of neglect or refusal of an habitual drunkard to aid in the support of his or her family; of neglect or refusal by a child over eighteen (18) years of age to provide for the support and maintenance of his or her father or mother; or of threat to commit a crime or offense against the person or property of the defendant's husband, wife, children, father, or mother.History of Section.P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 88, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 316, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-10-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-10 - Family Court|Section 8-10-5 - Attempts at reconciliation by family court.

§ 8-10-5. Attempts at reconciliation by family court.In all the causes in § 8-10-4, the family court shall seek to reconcile the parties and to re-establish friendly family relations, and to this end may suggest and hold conferences in chambers with the parties interested, and with their counsel, if they are represented by counsel and may have the children of the parties brought before it for examination.History of Section.P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 326, § 8.
RI Gen L § 8-10-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-10 - Family Court|Section 8-10-6 - Notice to department of human services.

§ 8-10-6. Notice to department of human services.The clerk of the family court shall notify the director of the department of human services of the names and addresses, if known to him or her, of the parties to any proceeding in the court, so that the director, if the parties or any of them are recipients of public assistance, shall make known the interest of his or her department in the proceedings and shall enter an appearance.History of Section.P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-10-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-10 - Family Court|Section 8-10-7 - Family counselling service.

§ 8-10-7. Family counselling service.Within the family court there shall be a family counselling service, consisting of such personnel as the court shall deem necessary to assist the court in advising and counselling the parties and whose qualifications shall be established by the court. The justices of the family court or a majority of them shall be the appointing authority of the family counselling personnel. The court is specifically authorized to make use of existing private and public family and other service agencies in the functioning of the family counselling service. The family counselling service shall, where desirable, possible, and practicable, make use of the counsel and advice of a member of the clergy of the faith of each or all of the parties and shall, where desirable, possible, and practicable, consult the clergy of the parish or congregation of each of the respective parties.History of Section.P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 309, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 415, § 1.
RI Gen L § 8-10-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 8 - Courts and Civil Procedure – Courts|Chapter 8-10 - Family Court|Section 8-10-8 - Medical, psychological, and other expert assistance.

§ 8-10-8. Medical, psychological, and other expert assistance.The department of human services shall provide for the family court the services of such physicians, psychiatrists, experts, and consultants approved by the court as shall be necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the court is established.History of Section.P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 1.