Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-4-1 (2026)

Ownership of separate property

✓ current as of July 2026

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The real estate, chattels real, and personal estate which are the property of any woman before marriage, or which may become the property of any woman after marriage, or which may be acquired by her own industry, including damages recovered in suits or proceedings for her benefit and compensation for her property taken for public use, and the proceeds of all such property, shall be and remain her sole and separate property free from control of her husband.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1960–2002 · leading case: Landmark Med. Ctr. v. Gauthier, 635 A.2d 1145 (R.I. 1994).

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Landmark Med. Ctr. v. Gauthier, 635 A.2d 1145 (R.I. 1994). · cites it 3× “At that point a factual determination should be made by the Superior Court to assess the ability of each of her children to pay her total debt to Landmark.”

In Re Ryan, 282 B.R. 742 (D.R.I. 2002). · cites it 2× “R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-4-1. Originally enacted in 1844, the Act aimed to improve the status of a woman’s property rights.”

Benevides v. Kelly, 157 A.2d 821 (R.I. 1960). “General laws 1956, §15-4-1, provides, “The real estate, chattels real and personal estate, which are the property of any woman before marriage, or which may become the property of any woman after marriage, or which may be acquired by her own industry, including damages recovered…”

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