§ 33-23-1. Filing of claim of appeal, record, and reasons.
(a) Any person aggrieved by an order or decree of a probate court (hereinafter "appellant�),
may, unless provisions be made to the contrary, appeal to the superior court for the
county in which the probate court is established by taking the following procedure:
(1) Within twenty (20) days after execution of the order or decree by the probate judge,
the appellant shall file, in the office of the clerk of the probate court, a claim
of appeal to the superior court and a request for a certified copy of the claim and
shall pay the clerk his or her fees therefor.
(2) Within thirty (30) days after the entry of the order or decree, the appellant shall
file, in the superior court, a certified copy of the claim and the reasons of appeal
specifically stated, to which reasons the appellant shall be restricted, unless, for
cause shown, and with or without terms, the superior court shall allow amendments
and additions thereto.
(3) The appellant shall file with the probate clerk an affidavit in proof of the filing
and docketing of the probate appeal pursuant to the time deadlines set forth in subdivision
(a)(2).
(b) An appeal under this chapter is not an appeal on error but is to be heard de novo
in the superior court. The record of proceedings, including the certified documents
and the transcript (if any) from the probate proceedings, may be introduced in the
superior court without further authentication. The findings of fact and/or decisions
of the probate court may be given as much weight and deference as the superior court
deems appropriate, however, the superior court shall not be bound by any such findings
or decisions. Nothing herein shall preclude a witness who testified at the probate
court proceeding from testifying at the superior court hearing, however, the transcript
of such probate court testimony may be used for any evidentiary purpose, consistent
with the Rhode Island rules of evidence.
(c) The deadline of subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(2) are jurisdictional and may not be extended
by either the probate court or the superior court.
(d) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude interested parties in a probate proceeding
from stipulating to a probate appeal from the probate court to the superior court
and, toward that end, to build a record by agreed statement of facts and otherwise;
to fashion on a form of order or decree to preserve or frame issues as the parties
desire; and to preserve the status quo ante pending appeal through custodianship of
assets or otherwise. Such a stipulated probate appeal shall be governed by, and be
subject to, the procedural requirements of this chapter.
(e) The executor, administrator, guardian, or other fiduciary, pending a probate appeal,
shall annually, or more often as requested by the probate court, file a written report
of the status of the appeal.
(f) The filing fees payable to the superior court clerk for reasons of appeal in a probate
appeal shall be the same as those established from time to time for the filing of
a complaint in a civil action.