⚖️ Speak Directly with a Rhode Island Divorce Attorney — Not Intake.
Most divorce firms route your first call through a paralegal or intake coordinator, then schedule a callback days later. By the time you actually speak with an attorney, opposing counsel may already have filed, served you, or sought temporary orders that lock in a baseline you’ll be litigating against for the rest of the case. Fill out this form now. You will speak directly with Attorney Stefanie A. Murphy — admitted in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and a Super Lawyers honoree for 14 consecutive years. We will assess your situation, identify what’s time-sensitive, and tell you exactly where you stand under Rhode Island Family Court law. Free, confidential, no obligation.In Family Court, the first move sets the terms of the negotiation.
Recent Case Result: Tailored Marital Settlement Agreement, December 2025
In December 2025, Attorney Stefanie A. Murphy finalized a divorce involving a long-term marriage with complex property and financial considerations. Rather than pursuing a drawn-out trial, Murphy developed a negotiation strategy built around the client’s specific priorities — financial security, a clean break, and stability for the children. After months of structured negotiation and detailed correspondence addressing each component of the settlement, the case concluded with a tailored marital settlement agreement that gave the client peace of mind and a foundation for moving forward. Every divorce is different, but this result reflects how the firm approaches each case: identify what matters most to the client, build the legal strategy to get there, and prepare the case to go to trial if the other side won’t engage in good faith.Why the Attorney Handling Your Divorce Matters
Divorce is one of the few areas of law where the lawyer you hire shapes not just the outcome, but the trajectory of your life for years afterward — your housing, your retirement, your relationship with your children. Rhode Island Family Court is also a small bar. The judges, opposing counsel, and procedural rhythms reward attorneys who appear regularly and know the local practice. Attorney Stefanie A. Murphy leads the firm’s family law practice. She is admitted in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for 14 consecutive years. She brings courtroom experience from contested trials in Rhode Island Superior and Family Courts to every divorce matter she handles — and the procedural and evidentiary rigor that defines her practice translates directly to how Family Court judges evaluate financial disclosures, custody evidence, and the credibility of the parties. What that means in practice: when negotiation produces a fair result, we settle. When it doesn’t, opposing counsel knows the case will be tried — and tried well. That credibility is what most often produces the best settlements.Divorce Cases We Handle in Rhode Island
Rhode Island divorce cases come to us at different stages — some clients call before filing, others after being served. Regardless of where you are in the process, we step in immediately and take control of the legal strategy.Contested Divorce
When spouses disagree on property division, custody, or support, the case proceeds before a Rhode Island Family Court judge. Contested cases require structured preparation — formal financial discovery, depositions, expert witnesses where valuation is in dispute, and courtroom advocacy at evidentiary hearings and trial. We prepare every contested matter on the assumption it will be tried, which is often what produces the best settlement.Uncontested Divorce in Rhode Island
When both spouses agree on the terms, an uncontested divorce can be finalized far more quickly and at substantially lower cost. But “uncontested” is not the same as “simple.” The marital settlement agreement controls the parties’ rights for years — sometimes decades — and drafting errors are difficult to undo. We prepare and review settlement agreements line-by-line so clients are not unknowingly waiving rights they will need later.Property Division & Asset Protection
Rhode Island is an equitable distribution state under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.1. The Family Court divides marital property fairly — not necessarily equally. Statutory factors include the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, financial and non-financial contributions to the marital estate, the conduct of the parties during the marriage, and the needs of any minor children. We work with forensic accountants, business valuators, and pension actuaries when the case requires it to ensure a complete picture of the marital estate, including:- Real estate, including the marital home and any investment or vacation properties
- Retirement accounts, pensions, and 401(k)s — divided by Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) where required under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.4
- Business interests and professional practices — including buy-out structuring
- Investment portfolios, stock options, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation
- Debt allocation — mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and joint liabilities
Child Custody & Parenting Plans
Rhode Island courts decide custody under the best interests of the child standard at R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16. Physical placement, legal decision-making authority, holiday and vacation schedules, and relocation restrictions are all addressed in the parenting plan. We advocate for parenting plans that reflect the client’s actual involvement in the child’s life and protect the parent-child relationship going forward — including the structural protections that matter most when one parent later remarries, relocates, or experiences a change in circumstances.Child Support
Child support in Rhode Island is calculated using the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-9-1, which consider both parents’ incomes, the number of children, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. The Guidelines produce a presumptive number, but that presumption can be rebutted in cases involving non-traditional income (self-employment, equity compensation, irregular bonuses), shared physical placement, or extraordinary medical or educational expenses. We argue for non-guideline adjustments where the formula produces a result that doesn’t reflect the family’s actual finances.Alimony & Spousal Support
Alimony in Rhode Island is not automatic and there is no fixed formula. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16, the Family Court weighs the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, the marital standard of living, the age and health of each spouse, and the time reasonably required for the supported spouse to become financially self-sufficient. Alimony in Rhode Island is generally rehabilitative and time-limited; indefinite alimony is reserved for longer-term marriages where self-sufficiency is not realistic. We protect our clients’ financial interests on either side of the question — whether seeking support or defending against an unreasonable claim.Why Clients Choose Marin & Murphy for Their Rhode Island Divorce
You have options when choosing a divorce lawyer in Rhode Island. Here is what sets this firm apart:- An attorney who litigates. Many divorces settle, but the ones that produce the best outcomes settle because the other side knows we will try the case. We prepare every contested matter as if it will be tried, which is what most often produces the best settlement.
- Recognized peer authority. Stefanie Murphy has been recognized by Super Lawyers for 14 consecutive years and is admitted in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Matthew Marin holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
- Real case results. A track record of favorable outcomes in complex property division, contested custody, and high-asset divorces. See our recent December 2025 marital settlement result.
- Attorneys who appear in RI Family Court regularly. We practice in Providence, Kent, Washington, and Newport County Family Courts. We know the judges, the procedures, and the local rules that affect how a case actually moves.
- Direct attorney access. Clients work directly with their attorney — not a paralegal or case manager who relays messages. When you call, you get answers from the lawyer handling your case.
- Strategic negotiation backed by trial readiness. Most divorces settle. We negotiate from a position of strength because opposing counsel knows the alternative is a tried case.
How Divorce Works in Rhode Island
Understanding the process helps you make better decisions. Here is what to expect when you file for divorce in Rhode Island:Step 1: Filing the Complaint
One spouse files a Complaint for Divorce in the Family Court of the county where either spouse lives. Rhode Island requires at least one spouse to have been domiciled in the state for a minimum of one year before filing under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-12. The complaint should address every issue the client wants the court to resolve — custody, support, and property — from the outset.Step 2: Service & Response
The complaint is served on the other spouse by a sheriff or constable. The responding spouse has 20 days to file an Answer and, if desired, a Counterclaim asserting their own grounds and requested relief.Step 3: Temporary Orders (Pendente Lite)
Either party can request temporary orders for child custody, child support, spousal support, exclusive use of the marital home, or restraints on the dissipation of assets while the case is pending under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-17. These orders are critical — they often set the practical baseline for the final judgment and shape the negotiating position of both sides.Step 4: Discovery & Financial Disclosure
Both parties exchange financial statements (DR-6 forms), tax returns, bank and brokerage records, retirement statements, and supporting documentation. In contested cases, this stage may also include subpoenas to third parties, depositions, and forensic review. This is where hidden or undisclosed assets are identified and the true marital estate is established.Step 5: Negotiation or Trial
If the parties reach agreement, the marital settlement agreement is presented to the Family Court judge for approval. If not, the case proceeds to a nominal hearing and ultimately to trial, where the judge resolves all disputed issues by judicial order.Step 6: Final Judgment
Rhode Island has a mandatory waiting period between the entry of decision and the entry of final judgment. Final judgment is what actually dissolves the marriage and binds both parties to the terms of the settlement or the court’s decision.Rhode Island Divorce Law: What You Need to Know
Grounds for Divorce
Rhode Island recognizes both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-3:- Irreconcilable differences — the most common ground, requiring no proof of wrongdoing
- Living separate and apart for at least three years
- Adultery
- Extreme cruelty
- Willful desertion for five years (or for a shorter period in the discretion of the court)
- Habitual drunkenness or drug use
- Neglect or refusal to provide for at least one year
Residency Requirements
At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Rhode Island for one year before filing. The action is filed in the Family Court of the county where the filing spouse lives, or in Providence County if the non-filing spouse meets the residency requirement.How Long Does a Divorce Take in Rhode Island?
An uncontested divorce in Rhode Island typically reaches final judgment in approximately 90 to 120 days after filing, depending on the court’s calendar. Contested cases take longer — typically 6 to 18 months, and occasionally longer in cases involving complex valuation issues, custody evaluations, or appeals from temporary orders.Serving Clients Across Rhode Island
Our primary office for Rhode Island family law matters is located at 6 Wanton Shippee Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818. We represent divorce clients throughout the state, including:- Providence County: Providence, Cranston, Warwick, East Providence, Pawtucket, North Providence, Johnston, Smithfield
- Kent County: Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich
- Washington County: South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Narragansett, Westerly, Charlestown, Richmond, Hopkinton, Exeter
- Newport County: Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Jamestown, Little Compton
- Bristol County: Bristol, Warren, Barrington
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Rhode Island
How do I file for divorce in Rhode Island?
To file for divorce in Rhode Island, you or your spouse must have been domiciled in the state for at least one year. You file a Complaint for Divorce in the Family Court of the county where you live. The complaint is then served on your spouse, who has 20 days to respond. We recommend consulting with a divorce attorney before filing to make sure your complaint addresses all necessary issues — custody, support, and property — from the start.
How much does a divorce cost in Rhode Island?
The cost of a divorce in Rhode Island depends on whether the case is contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce with a negotiated settlement costs significantly less than a case that goes to trial. During your free consultation, we will give you a clear picture of the expected costs based on your specific situation.
What is an uncontested divorce in Rhode Island?
An uncontested divorce means both spouses agree on all major issues — property division, custody, child support, and alimony. The agreement is submitted to the Family Court for approval without a trial. It is faster and less expensive, but you should still have an attorney review the settlement agreement to protect your interests.
How is property divided in a Rhode Island divorce?
Rhode Island uses equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided fairly based on factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions, earning capacity, and conduct during the marriage. “Equitable” does not always mean “equal” — the court has discretion to allocate assets and debts based on what is fair under the circumstances.
How is child custody decided in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island courts base custody decisions on the best interests of the child. Factors include each parent’s relationship with the child, stability of the home environment, the child’s wishes (if old enough), and each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. Both physical placement and legal decision-making authority are addressed.
How is alimony calculated in Rhode Island?
There is no fixed formula for alimony in Rhode Island. The court considers the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning potential, the marital standard of living, health, age, and how long the requesting spouse needs to become self-supporting. Alimony can be temporary, rehabilitative, or permanent depending on the circumstances.
Can I get a divorce if my spouse does not agree?
Yes. You do not need your spouse’s consent to file for divorce in Rhode Island. If your spouse does not respond to the complaint, you can seek a default judgment. If they contest the divorce, the case proceeds to trial where the court decides all disputed issues.
Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in Rhode Island?
While you can represent yourself, divorce involves complex legal and financial issues — property division, custody, support calculations, and tax implications. Mistakes in a divorce settlement can be difficult or impossible to fix after the fact. An experienced Rhode Island divorce attorney protects your rights and helps you avoid costly errors.
Talk to a Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer Today
Whether you are considering filing or have already been served, the next decisions you make — what to disclose, what to preserve, what to ask the court for first — will shape the outcome of your case. We will review your situation, explain your rights and obligations under Rhode Island Family Court law, and tell you exactly what the right first step looks like for you.Call (401) 316-9423 for a free, confidential consultation. Meetings available at our East Greenwich office, by phone, or by video. Evening and weekend appointments available.
