§ 33-15.1-1. Parents as joint natural guardians — Releases.
(a) The father and mother shall be the joint natural guardians of their minor children and shall be equally charged with their care, nurture, welfare and education; and they may be sued either jointly or separately for the support of their minor children. To the extent that any such minor child has property or an estate of his or her own, or that there is income or principal of any trust for his or her benefit, which may be used to provide the child with an education in a college, university or private school, the natural guardians shall not be obligated either jointly or separately to provide an education. The foregoing sentence shall not be deemed to create by implication any obligation to provide an education where none would otherwise exist. The natural guardians shall have equal powers and rights and neither shall have any right paramount to the right of the other concerning the custody of the minor children, and both shall be entitled to their services, and to their earnings, the payment of which to either parent shall be a valid and sufficient discharge to the employer of the children until after notice in writing has been given to him or her by both or either of the parents of their intention to both claim the earnings. Provided, however, this section and § 33-15.1-3 shall not affect the right of a probate court duly to appoint a legal guardian of the person and estate, or of the person or estate of any minor children, or the right of any court in the state, in any suit or proceedings duly brought or heard in the court, to make any order, decree, decision or judgment regarding the care, custody, education, estate or otherwise of any minor children, in which event the appointment of the probate court and the order, decree, decision or judgment of any other court shall supersede the natural guardianship insofar as the same shall be inconsistent with the appointment, order, decree, decision or judgment.
(b) A release given by both parents or by a parent or guardian who has the legal custody of a minor child or by a guardian or adult spouse of a minor spouse shall, where the amount of the release does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in value, be valid and binding upon the minor.
History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 493, § 5.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 33 - Probate Practice and Procedure
Chapter 33-15.1 - Guardianship of Minors
Section 33-15.1-1. - Parents as joint natural guardians — Releases.
Section 33-15.1-3. - No preference between parents.
Section 33-15.1-4. - Power of probate court to appoint guardians.
Section 33-15.1-4.1. - Repealed.
Section 33-15.1-5. - Appointment of guardians for minors.
Section 33-15.1-6. - Appointment in lieu of guardian nominated by minor.
Section 33-15.1-7. - Testamentary appointment of guardian for minor children.
Section 33-15.1-8. - Nonresident as guardian of minor.
Section 33-15.1-9. - Guardian of estate of nonresident.
Section 33-15.1-10. - Notice on ward for appointment of guardian of person.
Section 33-15.1-11. - Notice to spouse, children or heirs at law of ward.
Section 33-15.1-12. - Expense of prosecuting or defending against petition.
Section 33-15.1-13. - Exemption of welfare agencies from costs and bond.
Section 33-15.1-14. - Appointment of temporary guardian.
Section 33-15.1-15. - Tenure of temporary guardian.
Section 33-15.1-16. - Powers of temporary guardian — Bond.
Section 33-15.1-17. - Inventory and appraisement of estate.
Section 33-15.1-18. - Statements of claims against estate.
Section 33-15.1-19. - Demands payable in future.
Section 33-15.1-20. - Addresses of creditors — Affidavit to support claim.
Section 33-15.1-21. - Application of personal property to debts — Priority of claims.
Section 33-15.1-22. - Application of property to debts contracted during minority.
Section 33-15.1-23. - Sale or mortgage of real estate.
Section 33-15.1-24. - Sale of personal property.
Section 33-15.1-25. - Notice of disallowance of claims.
Section 33-15.1-27. - Investment of surplus funds — Relief from bond requirements.
Section 33-15.1-28. - General duties with respect to person and estate.
Section 33-15.1-29. - Annual account.
Section 33-15.1-30. - Responsibility of guardians for education of minors.
Section 33-15.1-31. - Powers of guardian with respect to corporate stock.
Section 33-15.1-32. - Support of dependents for whom ward has no legal obligation to provide.
Section 33-15.1-33. - Appeal to supreme court from proceedings under § 33-15.1-32.
Section 33-15.1-34. - Applicability of §§ 33-15.1-32 and 33-15.1-33.
Section 33-15.1-35. - Removal of property by nonresident guardian.
Section 33-15.1-36. - Order to resident guardian to deliver property to nonresident guardian.
Section 33-15.1-37. - Removal of guardian — Resignation.
Section 33-15.1-38. - Allowances to guardians.