§ 15-5-13. Venue.
(a) All complaints for divorce from the bond of marriage and from bed and board and complaints for relief without commencement of divorce proceedings shall be filed in the county in which the plaintiff is residing, unless the complaint is based upon the residence of the defendant, in which case the complaint shall be filed in Providence County or in the county in which the defendant resides.
(b) All complaints for divorce from the bond of marriage and from bed and board and complaints for relief without commencement of divorce proceedings may be tried and heard in the county in which the plaintiff resides, unless the complaint is based upon the residence of the defendant, in which case the complaint may be heard and tried in Providence County or in the county in which the defendant resides. In the interest of convenience, the court may, with the consent of the chief judge of the family court or any associate justice designated by him or her and the parties, order any such actions transferred to another county.
(c) The chief judge of the family court, or his or her designee, in accordance with the provisions of the Family Court Act, § 8-10-14, may order any complaint for divorce from the bond of marriage and from bed and board and complaints for relief without commencement of divorce proceedings to be transferred to Providence County for trial on the merits should it be determined by the trial judge in the county in which the action was originally brought that the trial would require a minimum of three (3) court days for testimony. Any complaint, which is transferred under this section, shall have priority on the trial calendar in Providence County.
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 195, § 11; P.L. 1906, ch. 1304, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 247, § 11; G.L. 1923, ch. 291, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 416, § 11; P.L. 1942, ch. 1252, § 1; P.L. 1950, ch. 2493, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 15-5-13; P.L. 1969, ch. 65, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 373, § 11; P.L. 1982, ch. 234, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 219, § 1.
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 Repealed.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.