reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 15-5-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-17 - Change of name.

§ 15-5-17. Change of name.Any woman, to whom a divorce from the bond of marriage is decreed, shall, upon request, be authorized by the decree to change her name, notwithstanding that there may be children born of the marriage, and subject to the same rights and liabilities as if her name had not been changed. This statute is in addition to, and not in abrogation of, the common law.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 15; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 15; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 15; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 15; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-17; P.L. 1982, ch. 434, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-18 - Interlocutory decrees and injunctions.

§ 15-5-18. Interlocutory decrees and injunctions.After the filing and during the pendency of any petition for divorce, the court may make any interlocutory decrees and grant any temporary injunctions that may be necessary until a hearing can be had before the court.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 16; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 16; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 16; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-18.
RI Gen L § 15-5-19.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-19.1 - Restraining orders - Notification of local authorities - Notice of penalty.

§ 15-5-19.1. Restraining orders — Notification of local authorities — Notice of penalty.(a) (1) The clerk of the family court may, if requested by the prevailing party's attorney, immediately forward a certified copy of any restraining order issued pursuant to § 15-5-19(a) to the police department of the municipality in which the prevailing party is domiciled, and the police department shall retain the restraining order on file for at least one year.(2) The clerk shall also provide the prevailing party and/or his or her attorney with two (2) certified copies of any restraining order issued pursuant to § 15-5-19.(b) Each restraining order issued under this chapter, including a temporary ex parte order, shall be set out on a separate piece of paper and shall have the following statement printed in bold faced type or in capital letters:A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS ORDER MAY BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND MAY BE PUNISHED BY A FINE OF AS MUCH AS ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000) OR BY CONFINEMENT IN JAIL FOR AS LONG AS ONE YEAR AND MAY BE ORDERED TO ATTEND COUNSELING.(c) The clerk of the family court may have a certified copy of any order issued under this chapter forwarded immediately to the law enforcement agency designated by the plaintiff. The clerk shall also provide the plaintiff with two (2) certified copies of any order issued under this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1982, ch. 401, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 433, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 539, § 5; P.L. 1997, ch. 308, § 2.
RI Gen L § 15-5-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-20 - Service on or notice to defendant.

§ 15-5-20. Service on or notice to defendant.No person shall be entitled to a divorce from the bond of marriage unless the defendant, in accordance with rules adopted by the court, has been personally served with process if within the state, or with personal notice duly authenticated if out of the state, or unless the defendant has entered an appearance in the cause; or unless it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the petitioner does not know the address nor the residence of the defendant and has not been able to ascertain either after reasonable and due inquiry and search for six (6) months, in which case the court, or in vacation a judge of the court, may authorize notice by publication of the pendency of the petition for divorce to be given in a manner provided by law; provided, that in cases where indigence has been established, the court may, as an alternative to publication and upon motion and in appropriate circumstance, authorize an alternate means of service of process in the manner provided by Rule 4 of the Family Court Rules of Procedure for Domestic Relations.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 17; P.L. 1902, ch. 971, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 17; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 17; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 17; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-20; P.L. 1999, ch. 332, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-21 - Service by publication - Jurisdiction acquired.

§ 15-5-21. Service by publication — Jurisdiction acquired.After service of process on any petition, whether by citation or by publication, where the adverse party has no attorney of record and cannot be found for the service of citation or notice of any motion or any other matter arising in the course of the proceedings, the court may order service by publication and the service shall have the same effect as personal service within the state on the party; provided, that the service shall not, in the case of an adverse party who has not appeared either in person or by attorney, and the petition against him or her was served by publication, authorize the entry of any decree or order binding the party personally to pay any sum of money or to do any other affirmative act.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 17; P.L. 1939, ch. 707, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-21.
RI Gen L § 15-5-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-22 - Trial required - Collusion.

§ 15-5-22. Trial required — Collusion.No divorce from the bond of marriage shall be granted solely upon default nor solely upon admissions by the pleadings, except upon trial before the court in open session; nor shall the divorce be granted where the court is satisfied that there has been any collusion or corrupt conduct by the parties, or either of them, in regard to the proceedings to obtain the divorce.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 18; P.L. 1902, ch. 971, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 18; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 18; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 18; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-22; P.L. 2004, ch. 6, § 25.
RI Gen L § 15-5-23 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-23 - Final judgment - Remarriage.

§ 15-5-23. Final judgment — Remarriage.(a) No judgment for a divorce shall become final and operative until three (3) months after the trial and decision. Final decree from the bond of marriage may be entered ex parte and in chambers on the suggestion of the prevailing party at any time within one hundred eighty (180) days next after the expiration of three (3) months from the date of decision. After the expiration of the one hundred eighty (180) days, final decrees may be entered only in open court and on motion or upon written consent of the attorneys or parties. Notice of the filing of the motion shall not be required in cases in which the original complaint is unanswered.(b) After entry of the final judgment for a divorce from the bond of marriage, either party may marry again.History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 19; P.L. 1902, ch. 971, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 19; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 19; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 19; P.L. 1939, ch. 707, § 3; P.L. 1940, ch. 945, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-23; P.L. 1976, ch. 338, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 13, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 14, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-24.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-24.1 - Visitation rights of grandparents.

§ 15-5-24.1. Visitation rights of grandparents.The court may, upon miscellaneous petition of a grandparent whose child is deceased, grant reasonable visitation rights of the grandchild or grandchildren to the grandparent, whether or not any divorce or custody proceedings were ever commenced, and may issue all necessary orders to enforce visitation rights.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 104, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-24.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-24.2 - Visitation rights of grandparents whose child is denied or has failed to exercise rights.

§ 15-5-24.2. Visitation rights of grandparents whose child is denied or has failed to exercise rights.In any divorce proceeding the family court may, upon petition of a grandparent whose grandchild is a child of the marriage, grant reasonable visitation rights of the grandchild to the grandparent. The court may issue all necessary orders to enforce visitation rights. Once a grandparent has been granted reasonable visitation rights, notice of any petition and/or order providing for a change in custody or visitation shall be provided to the grandparent.History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 100, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 416, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 23.
RI Gen L § 15-5-24.4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-24.4 - Sibling visitation rights.

§ 15-5-24.4. Sibling visitation rights.(a) The family court, upon miscellaneous petition of a brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or on behalf of any of those persons by his or her legal guardian, for visitation rights for the petitioner's sibling, half-sibling or stepsibling and upon notice to both parents of the child and notice to the child, and after a hearing on the petition, may grant reasonable rights of visitation of the sibling to the petitioner. The court, in order to grant reasonable rights of visitation, must find and set forth in writing the following findings of fact:(1) That it is in the best interests of the child that the petitioner is granted visitation rights with the child;(2) That the petitioner is a fit and proper person to have visitation rights with the child;(3) That the petitioner has repeatedly attempted to visit his or her sibling, half-sibling or stepsibling during the thirty (30) days immediately preceding the date the petition was filed and was not allowed to visit the child during the thirty (30) day period as a direct result of the actions of either, or both, parents of the child;(4) There is no other way that the petitioner is able to visit his or her sibling, half-sibling or stepsibling without court intervention; and(5) That the petitioner, by clear and convincing evidence, has successfully rebutted the presumption that the parent's decision to refuse the petitioner's visitation with the child was reasonable.(b) The court may issue all necessary orders relative to the visitation rights granted to the petitioner. Once the petitioner has been granted reasonable visitation rights, notice of any petition seeking a change in custody or visitation shall be served on the petitioner.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 186, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 200, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-24.5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-24.5 - Court ordered visitation rights to certain persons convicted of first degree murder - Prohibited.

§ 15-5-24.5. Court ordered visitation rights to certain persons convicted of first degree murder — Prohibited.No court shall make an order providing visitation rights to a parent who has been convicted of murder in the first degree of the other parent of the child who is the subject of the order, unless that court first conducts a hearing in order to determine whether the child is of an appropriate age, maturity, intelligence and voluntarily consents to the visitation. No person shall cause, facilitate, or assist a child to visit a parent who has been convicted of murder in the first degree of the other parent of the child without the consent of the child's custodian or legal guardian except as authorized by a court order.History of Section.P.L. 1999, ch. 471, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-26 - Duties and liabilities of employer under income assignment order or order for wage withholding.

§ 15-5-26. Duties and liabilities of employer under income assignment order or order for wage withholding.(a) Any wage withholding agent failing to comply with any requirements in §§ 15-5-24 and 15-5-25 may be punished by the court for civil contempt. The court shall first afford the wage withholding agent a reasonable opportunity to purge itself of contempt.(b) Any wage withholding agent who fails or refuses to deliver income pursuant to an order under §§ 15-5-24 and 15-5-25, when the garnishing agent has had in its possession the income, shall be personally liable for the amount of the income which the wage withholding agent failed or refused to deliver, together with costs, interest, and reasonable attorney's fees.(c) Any wage withholding agent who dismisses, demotes, disciplines, or in any way penalizes an obligor on account of any proceeding to collect support, on account of any order or orders entered by the court in the proceeding, or on account of the wage withholding agent's compliance with the order or orders, shall be liable to the obligor for all damages, together with costs, interest thereon, and reasonable attorney's fees resulting from the action, and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100). The wage withholding agent shall be required to make full restitution to the aggrieved obligor including reinstatements and back pay.(d) A wage withholding agent may be enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction from continuing any action in violation of §§ 15-5-24 and 15-5-25.(e) Any proceeding against a wage withholding agent under this section must be commenced within ninety (90) days after a wage withholding agent's act or failure to act upon which the proceeding is based.(f) Compliance by a wage withholding agent with an order issued under §§ 15-5-24 and 15-5-25 operates as a discharge of the wage withholding agent's liability to the obligor as to that portion of the obligor's income so affected.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 304, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 199, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 143, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 170, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-27 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-27 - Order for wage withholding - Duration.

§ 15-5-27. Order for wage withholding — Duration.An order for wage withholding under §§ 15-5-24 and 15-5-25 shall remain in effect until modified or terminated by the court.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 304, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 199, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 170, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-28 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-28 - Judgment or order as lien on property - Duration - Effect.

§ 15-5-28. Judgment or order as lien on property — Duration — Effect.(a) A certified copy of any judgment or order which contains a provision adjudging a party to the action in contempt for failure to pay any support payment, or which states an arrearage due on any support payment or payments, may be recorded with the recorder of deeds in any city or town where real estate owned by the obligor may be found, and shall become a lien upon all real property of the obligor owned by the obligor in the city or town at the time of the recording. The division of taxation, child support enforcement shall not be required to pay a recording fee. The lien shall remain in full force and effect unless the lien is discharged by the obligee or his or her attorney or subsequent family court judgment or order as provided in this section.(b) The certificate of the obligee, or his or her attorney duly signed and notarized, or a certified copy of a judgment or order of the family court which contains a provision that all arrearages have been paid in full, shall, when recorded, be a discharge in full of the land.(c) If any amount of child support provided in a judgment or order has been directed to be paid to the clerk of the court or to any other office designated by the court pursuant to any other provision of law, and the directive is set forth in the copy of the docketed judgment or order, or in the docket or certified copy of an amended or supplemental order, the certificate shall not affect the lien unless also approved in writing by the clerk or other designated officer.(d) A lien under this section shall not be dischargeable in bankruptcy.History of Section.P.L. 1980, ch. 304, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 354, §§ 1, 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 155, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-5-29 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation|Section 15-5-29 - Mediation proceedings involving custody and/or visitation.

§ 15-5-29. Mediation proceedings involving custody and/or visitation.(a) Where, in any petition for divorce, divorce from bed and board, or relief without the commencement of divorce proceedings, the family court may, as to issues of custody and visitation, direct the parties to participate in mediation in an effort to resolve their differences, the court may order the participation in mediation in a program established by the court.(b) At its discretion, the court may:(1) Order mediation under this section prior to trial and postpone trial of the case pending the outcome of the mediation, in which case the issues of custody and visitation shall be tried only upon failure to resolve the issues of custody by mediation;(2) Order mediation under this section prior to trial and proceed to try the case as to issues other than custody and visitation while the parties are at the same time engaged in the mediation, in which the issue of custody shall be tried separately upon failure to resolve the issues; and(3) Complete the trial of the case on all issues and order mediation under this section upon the conclusion of the trial, postponing entry of the decree pending outcome of the mediation, in which case the court may enter a temporary decree as to issues other than custody any visitation upon completion of the trial or may postpone entry of any decree until the expiration of the mediation period of agreement of the parties.(c) Communications made by or to a mediator or between parties in the presence of the mediator as a part of mediation ordered under this section are privileged and are not admissible as evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding.History of Section.P.L. 1988, ch. 422, § 1.
RI Gen L § 15-6-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-6 - Uniform Divorce Recognition Act|Section 15-6-1 - Short title.

§ 15-6-1. Short title.This chapter may be cited as the "Uniform Divorce Recognition Act".History of Section.P.L. 1949, ch. 2268, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 15-6-1.
RI Gen L § 15-6-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-6 - Uniform Divorce Recognition Act|Section 15-6-2 - Ex parte divorce in another state between parties resident in this state.

§ 15-6-2. Ex parte divorce in another state between parties resident in this state.A divorce from the bonds of matrimony obtained in another jurisdiction in ex parte proceedings shall be of no force or effect in this state, if both parties to the marriage were domiciled in this state at the time that the proceeding for the divorce was commenced.History of Section.P.L. 1949, ch. 2268, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-6-2.
RI Gen L § 15-6-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-6 - Uniform Divorce Recognition Act|Section 15-6-3 - Prima facie evidence of continued domicile in state.

§ 15-6-3. Prima facie evidence of continued domicile in state.Proof that a person obtaining a divorce from the bonds of matrimony in another jurisdiction: (1) was domiciled in this state within twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the proceeding for divorce, and resumed residence in this state within eighteen (18) months after the date of his or her departure from this state, or (2) at all times after his or her departure from this state and until his or her return maintained a place of residence within this state, shall be prima facie evidence that the person was domiciled in this state when the divorce proceeding was commenced.History of Section.P.L. 1949, ch. 2268, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 15-6-3.
RI Gen L § 15-6-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-6 - Uniform Divorce Recognition Act|Section 15-6-4 - Uniformity of construction.

§ 15-6-4. Uniformity of construction.This chapter shall be interpreted and construed so as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact it.History of Section.P.L. 1949, ch. 2268, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 15-6-4.
RI Gen L § 15-7-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-1 - Repealed.

§ 15-7-1. Repealed.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 1; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-1; P.L. 1962, ch. 106, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; Reorg. Plan No. 1, 1970; P.L. 1982, ch. 318, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1986, ch. 254, § 4, effective June 19, 1986; P.L. 1986, ch. 274, § 4, effective July 1, 1986. For present provisions of law, see §§ 42-72.1-4 and 42-72.1-7.
RI Gen L § 15-7-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 15 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 15-7 - Adoption of Children|Section 15-7-2 - Report, investigation, and hearing on placement of child for adoption.

§ 15-7-2. Report, investigation, and hearing on placement of child for adoption.(a) Whenever a parent or parents places a child with a person or persons, other than a father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or stepparent of the child for adoption purposes, the person or persons with whom the child has been placed for adoption shall, within fifteen (15) days of the placement, notify the department of children, youth, and families of the placement.(b) The willful failure, neglect, or refusal of the person or persons with whom the child has been placed to make the report within fifteen (15) days shall be considered in violation of this chapter and prejudicial to the best interests of the child. The department shall, when it receives the notice or when it receives notice from any source that the person or persons with whom the child has been placed has failed, refused, or neglected to make the report within fifteen (15) days of placement, make any investigation that it deems necessary in the circumstances.(c) The results of the investigation shall be then referred to the family court within sixty (60) days of the receipt by the department of the notice.(d) The family court, after any notice that it deems proper to the parent or parents and the person or persons with whom the child has been placed, shall hold a hearing to determine whether the placement of the child is or is not for the best interest of the child.(e) If the court finds that the placement is not for the best interest of the child, or is contrary to law, it shall order that the child be returned to its parent or parents or placed with the department or a licensed child placing agency or with whomsoever the court deems for the best interest of the child.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 420, § 4; P.L. 1955, ch. 3483, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-7-2; impl. am. P.L. 1961, ch. 73, § 14; P.L. 1962, ch. 106, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 132, § 1; Reorg. Plan No. 1, 1970.