§ 15-5-12. Domicile and residence requirements.
(a) No complaint for divorce from the bond of marriage shall be granted unless the plaintiff has been a domiciled inhabitant of this state and has resided in this state for a period of one year next before the filing of the complaint; provided, that if the defendant has been a domiciled inhabitant of this state and has resided in this state for the period of one year next before the filing of the complaint, and is actually served with process, the requirement of this subsection as to domicile and residence on the part of the plaintiff is deemed satisfied and fulfilled. The residence and domicile of any person immediately prior to the commencement of his or her active service as a member of the armed forces or of the merchant marine of the United States, or immediately prior to his or her absence from the state in the performance of services in connection with military operations as defined in subsection (c) of this section, shall, for the purposes of this section, continue to be his or her residence and domicile during the time of his or her service and for a period of thirty (30) days after this. Testimony to prove domicile and residence may be received through the ex parte affidavit of one witness.
(b) Every word importing the masculine gender only shall be construed in this section to extend to and include females as well as males.
(c) The term “services in connection with military operations” shall be construed in this section to include persons serving with the American Red Cross, the Society of Friends, the Women’s Auxiliary Service Pilots, and the United Service Organizations.
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 10; P.L. 1902, ch. 971, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 10; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 10; P.L. 1946, ch. 1682, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-12; P.L. 1975, ch. 214, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 373, § 11; P.L. 1996, ch. 145, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 6, § 25.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 15-5 - Divorce and Separation
Section 15-5-1. - Marriages void or voidable — Civil death or presumption of death.
Section 15-5-2. - Additional grounds for divorce.
Section 15-5-3. - Separation of parties as ground for dissolution — Appeal.
Section 15-5-3.1. - Divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences.
Section 15-5-4. - Collusion of parties.
Section 15-5-5. - Uncorroborated testimony of complainant.
Section 15-5-6 - — 15-5-8. Repealed.
Section 15-5-9. - Divorce from bed and board.
Section 15-5-10. - Disposal of certain real estate after filing of complaint.
Section 15-5-11. - Verification of complaint.
Section 15-5-12. - Domicile and residence requirements.
Section 15-5-14. - Return day of complaints — Notice — Issuance of process — Time of hearing.
Section 15-5-14.1. - Automatic orders in divorce cases.
Section 15-5-15. - Orders as to notice.
Section 15-5-16. - Alimony and counsel fees — Custody of children.
Section 15-5-16.1. - Assignment of property.
Section 15-5-16.1.1. - Deferment of sale of home.
Section 15-5-16.2. - Child support.
Section 15-5-16.2.1. - Credit rating.
Section 15-5-16.2.2. - Service of court papers at work.
Section 15-5-16.2.3. - Continuances — Compensation for lost wages.
Section 15-5-16.2.4. - Retroactive modification of child support.
Section 15-5-16.2.5. - Repealed.
Section 15-5-16.3. - Allowance regarded as judgment for debt.
Section 15-5-16.4. - Judgment assigning real property — Effect.
Section 15-5-16.5. - Interest on arrearages.
Section 15-5-16.6. - Security, bond, or guarantee to secure payment of overdue support.
Section 15-5-16.7. - Review of child support orders.
Section 15-5-17. - Change of name.
Section 15-5-18. - Interlocutory decrees and injunctions.
Section 15-5-19.1. - Restraining orders — Notification of local authorities — Notice of penalty.
Section 15-5-20. - Service on or notice to defendant.
Section 15-5-21. - Service by publication — Jurisdiction acquired.
Section 15-5-22. - Trial required — Collusion.
Section 15-5-23. - Final judgment — Remarriage.
Section 15-5-24. - Support — Wage assignment procedures.
Section 15-5-24.1. - Visitation rights of grandparents.
Section 15-5-24.3. - Visitation rights — Grandparents and siblings.
Section 15-5-24.4. - Sibling visitation rights.
Section 15-5-25. - Application for wage withholding — Obligor in arrears.
Section 15-5-27. - Order for wage withholding — Duration.
Section 15-5-28. - Judgment or order as lien on property — Duration — Effect.
Section 15-5-29. - Mediation proceedings involving custody and/or visitation.