RI Family Court 2025
Rhode Island Family Court: Custody, Visitation & Divorce — What to Know (From a Cranston Lawyer)
If you searched Rhode Island family court lawyer, family court attorney Cranston, or divorce lawyer near me Rhode Island, you’re in the right place. Family Court moves fast, the stakes are high, and clear guidance wins cases. Here’s a plain-English roadmap for custody, visitation, child support, divorce, emergency custody, and consent orders in RI — plus exactly how a local attorney helps you get results in Providence, Kent, Newport, and Washington Counties.
What a Rhode Island Family Court Lawyer Actually Does
Custody & Placement: joint legal custody, primary placement, shared schedules
Parenting Time (Visitation): new orders, enforcement, and modifications
Child Support: guideline calculations, deviations, enforcement, arrears
Divorce: contested vs. uncontested, property division, settlement drafting
Emergency (Ex Parte) Custody: immediate safety concerns, relocation risks
Consent Orders: negotiated agreements that hold up in court
Post-Judgment: changes to custody/visitation/support when life changes
Goal: protect your kids, your time, and your financial stability — quickly and cleanly.
Common Case Paths (and Where People Get Stuck)
Emergency custody because of safety or sudden relocation threats
Modification of custody/visitation after a job change or move
Support enforcement (behind on payments, wage assignment, arrears plans)
Settlement via consent order to avoid trial delay and uncertainty
Post-judgment clean-up when an order needs tightening or enforcement
Pro tip: Bring proof, not just feelings — screenshots, messages, calendars, school records, medical notes, paystubs, and tax returns. Evidence wins.
Emergency & Temporary Orders (When Timing Is Everything)
You may need an emergency (ex parte) custody order if there’s:
immediate safety risk (violence, substance impairment, neglect),
credible threat of removing the child from Rhode Island, or
serious interference with court-ordered parenting time.
What happens next:
We draft the motion and affidavit fast, file in the correct county, and get you before a magistrate/judge.
If granted, the temporary order stabilizes things until a full hearing.
The Family Court Timeline in RI (What to Expect)
Filing — petition, service, and financial disclosures
Temporary hearing — short arguments; temporary placement or support
Discovery — financial docs, records, sometimes GAL involvement
Mediation/Settlement — many cases resolve with a consent order
Contested hearing/trial — testimony, exhibits, credibility assessments
Post-judgment — modify or enforce when circumstances change
Reality check: Some matters resolve in weeks. Others take months. Preparation shaves time off the process.
How to Prep for Your First Hearing (Bring This)
Government ID, all court papers, and your filing receipt
A one-page timeline with dates (clean bullet points)
Financials: last 12 months paystubs, W-2s, tax returns, bank statements
Parenting proof: school communication, pick-up/drop-off logs, extracurriculars
Names/contact of witnesses who actually saw/heard relevant facts
Presentation tip: One tidy binder > 25 loose screenshots. Judges appreciate order.
Why a Local Cranston Lawyer Helps
We know how Providence and Kent calendars move, which magistrates prefer mediation vs. live testimony, and how to get things scheduled (and resolved) faster.
Drafts that anticipate objections save future hearings. A strong consent order today prevents tomorrow’s mess.
You get coaching on what to say (and what not to say) so your evidence lands.
Custody, Visitation & Best-Interest Factors (What Courts Look For)
The child’s routine (school, medical, activities)
Each parent’s involvement and reliability
Communication and co-parenting behavior
Stability of housing and schedule
Any safety concerns (substance use, domestic incidents, supervision lapses)
If you want a change, show a substantial change in circumstances and why your proposal better serves the child now.
Child Support in Rhode Island (Quick Primer)
Based on combined incomes, childcare, health insurance, and parenting time
The guideline amount is the starting point; deviations need solid reasons
Arrears (past-due) can be addressed with payment plans or wage assignments
Changes in income? File to modify — waiting just builds arrears
Divorce in Rhode Island: Fast vs. Fair
Uncontested/Nominal: quickest path if you both agree (property, kids, support)
Contested: discovery, negotiation, trial if necessary
Property division: marital vs. non-marital, equity, debts, retirement accounts
Smart move: lock agreements into a clear consent order that’s enforceable
FAQ — Answered the Way Google & Real People Ask
Do I need a lawyer for Family Court in Rhode Island?
Not legally — but decisions here are permanent. A focused RI family lawyer makes your story legible to the court, organizes evidence, and protects you from avoidable mistakes.
How do I modify custody or visitation in RI?
File a Petition to Modify and prove a substantial change since the last order, plus why your new plan is in the child’s best interests.
What is an emergency custody order?
A fast, short-term order for immediate safety. It stabilizes placement and sets conditions until a full hearing.
How is child support calculated?
By guidelines using both incomes, childcare/health costs, and parenting time. If your income changed, request a modification — don’t wait.
Can we avoid trial?
Often, yes. Strong consent orders resolve disputes faster and reduce future court visits.
Ready to Move Forward?
The Office of Bienvenido Perez, Jr.
1319 Cranston St., Cranston, RI • (401) 475-5436