§ 33-11-5.1. Duty to notify known or reasonably ascertainable creditors. (a) If the identity of a creditor of the decedent's is known to or reasonably ascertainable by the personal representative, the personal representative shall, within a reasonable period of time after qualification, take such steps as are reasonably necessary to ensure that such creditor receives or has received notice of the commencement of the decedent's estate. The sending of a notice in the form contained in subsection (b) by the personal representative to the creditor at his/her or its last known address, by first class mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed a means, but not the exclusive means, of satisfying the requirements of this section. The personal representative is not liable to a creditor or to a successor personal representative of the decedent for giving or failing to give notice under this section.

(b) A personal representative shall be conclusively presumed to have complied with this section by sending a written notice in substantially the following form:

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND PROBATE COURT OF

COUNTY OF ................ THE

ESTATE OF (NAME OR ESTATE) (NO.)

NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROBATE

To: (Name of Creditor)

(last known address of creditor)

Notice is hereby given by (name of personal representative) that a probate estate has been commenced for (name of decedent) in the Probate Court of the (name of municipality, address of court) docket no. .........., said (name of fiduciary) having been qualified on (date of qualification).

A creditor must present a written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the amount claimed, the name and address of the claimant, and the name and address of the claimant's attorney (if any) within six (6) months after qualification. Claims should be mailed to the personal representative or attorney named below and filed with the clerk of the probate court.

Name and address of

Estate Personal Representative or Attorney

Date

(c) In all cases where the decedent was fifty-five (55) years or older at the time of death, the personal representatives shall give notice as required by this section to the executive office of health and human services in accordance with § 40-8-15.

History of Section. (P.L. 1996, ch. 110, § 6; P.L. 2008, ch. 307, § 2; P.L. 2009, ch. 310, § 12; P.L. 2013, ch. 186, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 236, § 1.)