The Rhode Island Petition for Probate of Will (Form PC-1.5) is the court form you file to prove a loved one’s will is valid and to ask the local Probate Court to appoint you as executor of the estate. You file it with the Probate Court in the city or town where the person lived when they died, and it is the first official step before you can manage money, property, or accounts in the estate.
Losing someone is hard, and the paperwork can feel like one more weight on top of the grief. Each year, Rhode Island’s 39 city and town Probate Courts process thousands of estate filings, and a large share of pro se petitions get bounced back for small, fixable errors like a missing death certificate or an unsigned notary block. This guide walks you through the form line by line so your petition is accepted the first time. The form is governed by RIGL Title 33, and you can download the current Form PC-1.5 here.
Here is what you will learn:
- 📋 What each box on Form PC-1.5 asks and exactly what to write in it.
- 🧾 Which documents you must gather before you open the form so nothing stalls.
- ✍️ How three real families filled out the petition from start to finish.
- 💵 What it costs to file and where to send it in your town.
- 🚫 The most common mistakes that get a petition rejected and how to dodge them.
What Form PC-1.5 Is and Who Must File It
Form PC-1.5 is the Petition for Probate of Will, the document that opens a formal probate case when a Rhode Island resident dies leaving a valid will. The form does two jobs at once. First, it asks the court to “admit the will to probate,” which means the judge declares the will legally valid. Second, it asks the court to appoint the person named in the will (the nominee) as the executor who will settle the estate.
You must file this form if you are named as executor in the will, or if you are an heir or beneficiary and the named executor cannot or will not serve. The form is filed under RIGL Chapter 33-7, which controls the probate of wills in Rhode Island. The court that receives it is the Probate Court of the city or town where the deceased lived, not a single statewide court. Each of Rhode Island’s 39 municipalities runs its own Probate Court, so a Providence resident’s will goes to the Providence Probate Court and a Westerly resident’s will goes to Westerly.
The deadline matters. Rhode Island law expects the will to be presented to the Probate Court within 30 days of death, though courts routinely accept later filings. If no one ever files, the estate’s assets stay frozen, banks will not release funds, and real estate cannot be sold or transferred with clear title. Filing the petition is the only way to unlock the estate and carry out the deceased’s wishes.
A quick word on the close cousins of this form. If the person died without a will, you file the Administration Petition (Form PC-1.1) instead. If there are no assets to administer and you only need the will on record, you file the Petition to File Will with No Assets (Form PC-1.4). PC-1.5 is the right form when there is a will and there is property to manage.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gathering everything before you open the form saves you a second trip to the courthouse. A missing item is the number-one reason petitions sit in limbo, because the clerk cannot accept an incomplete package. Pull these together first.
- The original signed will. Courts will not accept a photocopy to admit a will to probate, and without the original the case cannot move forward.
- A certified copy of the death certificate. The court uses this to confirm the date and place of death; an uncertified printout is usually rejected.
- The full legal name and last address of the deceased. This sets the court’s jurisdiction, and the wrong town means the wrong court.
- The date of death and the city or town of residence. These two facts decide which Probate Court hears the case.
- An estimate of the personal estate value. You need a dollar figure for bank accounts, vehicles, and personal property, because the court sets fees and bond from this number.
- Names, relationships, and addresses of all heirs at law and beneficiaries. Everyone with a legal interest must be listed and notified, or the decree can be challenged later.
- Your own contact details and relationship to the deceased. The court needs to know who is asking and why you have standing.
- A self-proving affidavit or witness affidavits, if available. Under RIGL 33-7-26, a self-proving will speeds approval; without it you may need affidavits from two witnesses.
- A Resident Agent, if you live out of state. Non-resident executors must appoint a Rhode Island agent using Form PC-3.5, or the court can refuse the appointment.
- Filing fees in an accepted form of payment. If you arrive without the fee, the clerk cannot docket the case that day.
Take a moment to confirm that the will in your hand is the last one the person signed. Families sometimes find an older will and file it, only to have a newer will surface and undo the whole case.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Form PC-1.5 is published by the Rhode Island Secretary of State and made available under RIGL 33-22-16. The cleanest way to get it is to download the fillable PDF from the Secretary of State’s Probate Forms page, where it is listed as “PC-1.5 Petition for Probate of Will.” The same page hosts every related form, including the Administration Petition and the Waiver.
You can also pick up a paper copy at your local Probate Court counter. This is a good option if you have questions about local practice, though clerks are barred by law from giving legal advice or helping you complete the form. The Secretary of State’s office states plainly that it “does not provide information on completion of forms,” so the responsibility for accuracy rests with you.
Check the revision date printed in the bottom corner of the form before you fill it out. The current series carries a Rev. 03/21 stamp, and using an outdated version can cause a rejection because box layouts and statutory references change. If you download fresh from the official site, you will always have the current version.
You can complete the PDF on a computer using the fillable fields, which keeps your entries neat and legible, or print it and write by hand in black ink. Typed is safer, because a clerk who cannot read your handwriting may reject the filing. Whichever you choose, print a clean final copy to sign in front of a notary, since the form requires a notarized signature.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form PC-1.5 Line by Line
Form PC-1.5 runs two pages plus a Page 1A continuation sheet. The top is the caption, the middle is your sworn statement, and the bottom Decree section is filled in by the judge, not by you. Work through each field in order.
County and City or Town of the Probate Court
What it asks in plain English. The form opens with “STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, County of ” and “PROBATE COURT OF THE City or Town of .” It wants to know which court is hearing the case.
How to answer it. Select the county from the dropdown, then select the city or town where the deceased lived at death. These must match the deceased’s legal residence, not where they died or where you live.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez files for her late father, who lived in Cranston. She selects Providence for the county and Cranston for the city.
A nuance or edge case. If your relative split time between two homes, use the address on their driver’s license or tax return as the legal residence. Snowbirds who wintered in Florida but kept a Rhode Island home and voter registration are still Rhode Island residents.
A common mistake and its consequence. Picking the town where the person died, such as a hospital town, instead of where they lived sends the case to the wrong court, and the petition is dismissed or transferred, costing weeks.
A misconception people hold. Many think there is one central Rhode Island probate court. There is not; each of the 39 towns runs its own court, and you must file in the correct one.
Estate of (Name of the Deceased) and Alias
What it asks in plain English. The “Estate of ___” line and the “Alias” line ask for the full legal name of the person who died, plus any other names they used.
How to answer it. Write the deceased’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the will and death certificate. In the Alias field, list any other names tied to their assets, such as a maiden name or a nickname on a deed.
A specific example answer. Robert James Almeida goes on the Estate line, and Bob Almeida goes on the Alias line because his car title reads “Bob.”
A nuance or edge case. If the will spells the name one way and the death certificate another, list the death certificate name as primary and add the will’s spelling as an alias so the court ties both records together.
A common mistake and its consequence. Leaving aliases off when the deceased held property under a different name forces you to file an amended petition later to clear title on that asset.
A misconception people hold. People assume the alias line is for criminal aliases. It is simply for any name variation attached to the estate’s property or accounts.
Personal Estate Estimated At
What it asks in plain English. This box asks for the dollar value of the deceased’s personal property, meaning money and movable things, not real estate.
How to answer it. Add up bank balances, vehicles, jewelry, furniture, stocks, and other personal items, then write a good-faith estimate. Real estate is reported separately and does not go in this figure.
A specific example answer. Maria estimates her father’s checking account, car, and personal belongings at $48,500 and writes that figure.
A nuance or edge case. If you cannot value everything yet, enter a reasonable estimate and note it is preliminary. The court can adjust based on the inventory you file later.
A common mistake and its consequence. Including the house’s value here inflates the personal estate, which can raise your bond and the 1% inventory fee. Real property is not personal estate.
A misconception people hold. Some think this number must be exact. It is an estimate, and the formal inventory filed later is what governs the final accounting.
Resided in City/Town and Date of Death
What it asks in plain English. These fields confirm where the deceased legally lived and the exact day they died.
How to answer it. Enter the city or town of legal residence, then the date of death in MM/DD/YYYY format, copied straight from the death certificate.
A specific example answer. Maria writes Cranston and 02/14/2026.
A nuance or edge case. If the death certificate lists a “pending” or estimated date, use exactly what the certificate shows and attach a note explaining it. Do not guess.
A common mistake and its consequence. A residence that does not match the court you filed in creates a jurisdiction conflict, and the judge can dismiss the petition.
A misconception people hold. People confuse place of death with place of residence. The court cares about where the person lived, not where they passed away.
Petitioner Information
What it asks in plain English. This block asks who is filing the petition, including name, relationship to the deceased, full address, and phone number.
How to answer it. Enter your full legal name, your relationship (such as Son, Spouse, or Daughter), your street address, city, state, ZIP, and a phone number where the court can reach you.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez, relationship Daughter, 122 Oak Street, Cranston, RI 02920, phone 401-555-0147.
A nuance or edge case. If two people file together, such as siblings serving as co-executors, each completes a petitioner block. Use the co-nominee fields for the second person.
A common mistake and its consequence. A wrong or outdated phone number means the court cannot reach you about a defect, and your hearing can pass without you knowing.
A misconception people hold. The petitioner does not have to be the executor named in the will, though they usually are. An interested heir can petition if the named executor declines.
Name of Nominee (and Co-Nominee)
What it asks in plain English. The nominee is the person you are asking the court to appoint as executor. This block asks for that person’s name, relationship, and address.
How to answer it. Enter the name of the person named as executor in the will, their relationship to the deceased, and their full address. If the will names two executors, fill in the Co-Nominee block.
A specific example answer. The will names Maria, so she enters Maria Lopez, relationship Daughter, with her full address, in the nominee block.
A nuance or edge case. If the will’s named executor has died or declines, attach a Declination (Form PC-3.4) from them and nominate the next person in line.
A common mistake and its consequence. Naming yourself as nominee when the will names someone else, without a declination from that person, gives the court grounds to reject your appointment.
A misconception people hold. People think the nominee and petitioner must be different people. They are usually the same person, since the named executor is the one filing.
Surviving Spouse and Heirs at Law
What it asks in plain English. This grid asks you to list the surviving spouse and every heir at law, with each person’s name, relationship, and address.
How to answer it. List the spouse first, then all children and other heirs. Heirs at law are the people who would inherit if there were no will, and they must be listed even if the will leaves them nothing. Use Page 1A for additional names.
A specific example answer. Maria lists herself and her brother Daniel Lopez, Son, 9 Pine Road, Warwick, RI 02888 as the two heirs at law.
A nuance or edge case. Indicate any minors or incompetent persons, as the form directs, because the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to protect their interests.
A common mistake and its consequence. Leaving out an heir, even an estranged one, means that person was not notified, and they can later void the decree and reopen the estate.
A misconception people hold. People assume that if the will disinherits someone, that person need not be listed. Every heir at law must be listed and notified regardless of what the will says.
Page 1A: Additional Heirs and Beneficiaries
What it asks in plain English. Page 1A is the overflow sheet for listing additional heirs at law and beneficiaries when the front page runs out of room.
How to answer it. Continue the same name, relationship, and address format. Beneficiaries named in the will who are not heirs at law also belong here so they receive notice.
A specific example answer. Robert Almeida’s estate has five children, so three of them are listed on Page 1A with full addresses.
A nuance or edge case. If even Page 1A is too small, the form lets you attach additional sheets. Label each attachment with the estate name and “continuation of heirs.”
A common mistake and its consequence. Skipping Page 1A and cramming names into the margins makes the list unreadable, and the clerk may reject the filing for legibility.
A misconception people hold. People think only people who inherit need listing. Charities, trusts, and other named beneficiaries also need notice and belong on this page.
Reference to Form PC-9.1, Waiver
What it asks in plain English. The form notes “Form PC-9.1, Waiver, if applicable,” which lets heirs waive the formal advertising and the waiting period.
How to answer it. If every heir signs a Waiver (Form PC-9.1), attach it. This can speed the case by removing the advertising delay. If even one heir will not sign, leave this blank and use the standard notice route.
A specific example answer. Maria and Daniel both sign Form PC-9.1, so Maria attaches it and the court can act without the usual advertising wait.
A nuance or edge case. A waiver is most realistic in small, friendly families. In larger estates with distant relatives, getting every signature is often impractical.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filing a waiver missing one heir’s signature is treated as no waiver at all, so the court still requires full advertising and notice.
A misconception people hold. People think a waiver lets them skip notice entirely. It waives the advertising step, but the court still expects all heirs to be accounted for.
Applicant Signature and Date
What it asks in plain English. This is your sworn statement that everything in the petition is true, followed by your signature and the date.
How to answer it. Read the line that says the statements are “truthful and accurate,” then sign and date it. Do not sign until you are in front of a notary, because the signature must be notarized.
A specific example answer. Maria signs Maria Lopez and dates it 03/01/2026 in the presence of a notary.
A nuance or edge case. If you are filing electronically through your court’s process, follow that court’s rule on wet signatures versus electronic ones, since practices vary by town.
A common mistake and its consequence. Signing at home before going to the notary voids the notarization, and the clerk will reject the petition for an improper acknowledgment.
A misconception people hold. People think the date here can be any day. It should be the day you actually sign before the notary, matching the notary’s date.
Notary Acknowledgment Block
What it asks in plain English. The notary block records that a notary public watched you sign and swear the petition is true, including the notary’s name, state, county, commission ID, and seal.
How to answer it. Leave this entirely to the notary. They complete the name, the “On ___ day of , 20” line, sign, add their commission ID and expiration date, and apply their seal.
A specific example answer. The notary writes On the 1st day of March, 2026, signs, and stamps the seal next to Commission ID #12345.
A nuance or edge case. Many Rhode Island banks and the Probate Court counter have a notary available, sometimes free for customers. Confirm before you make the trip.
A common mistake and its consequence. A missing notary seal or expired commission makes the entire petition invalid, and it will be returned unfiled.
A misconception people hold. People think any witness can replace a notary. Only a commissioned notary public can complete this block.
Decree Section (Court Use Only)
What it asks in plain English. The bottom of page 2, labeled “DECREE,” names the fiduciary, sets the bond, names appraisers, and names a resident agent. This is the judge’s section.
How to answer it. Do not fill in the Decree. The probate judge completes it after the hearing, appointing you, fixing the bond “With Surety” or “Without Surety,” and signing as Probate Judge.
A specific example answer. After the hearing, the judge writes Maria’s name as Fiduciary, fixes bond at $50,000 Without Surety, and signs and dates the decree.
A nuance or edge case. If you are an out-of-state executor, the Resident Agent block will be completed and you must have filed Form PC-3.5 in advance.
A common mistake and its consequence. Petitioners who fill in the Decree thinking it speeds things up actually create a defect, because they have written in the court’s section, and the page may be rejected.
A misconception people hold. People think completing the Decree shows they are organized. It is reserved for the judge, and filling it in is improper.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The fastest way to see how PC-1.5 works is to follow real families through it. Here are three common situations.
Scenario 1: Surviving spouse, simple estate with a house. Helen Costa’s husband Frank died in East Providence leaving a will that names Helen as executor. Their home and bank accounts pass to her.
| Form Section | What Helen Enters |
|---|---|
| County / City or Town | Providence / East Providence |
| Estate of | Frank Anthony Costa |
| Personal estate estimated at | $62,000 (accounts, car, furniture) |
| Resided in / Date of Death | East Providence / 01/22/2026 |
| Petitioner | Helen Costa, Spouse, full address, phone |
| Name of Nominee | Helen Costa, Spouse (named in the will) |
| Surviving spouse and heirs | Helen (spouse); son Michael Costa; daughter Anna Costa |
| Applicant signature | Helen Costa, signed before a notary |
Scenario 2: Adult child, modest estate, no real estate. Maria Lopez’s father Robert died in Cranston with a will naming her executor. He left bank accounts and a car but no house.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County / City or Town | Providence / Cranston |
| Estate of / Alias | Robert James Almeida / Bob Almeida |
| Personal estate estimated at | $48,500 |
| Resided in / Date of Death | Cranston / 02/14/2026 |
| Petitioner | Maria Lopez, Daughter, full address, phone |
| Name of Nominee | Maria Lopez, Daughter |
| Surviving spouse and heirs | Maria (daughter); brother Daniel Lopez (heir) |
| Form PC-9.1 Waiver | Attached, signed by Maria and Daniel |
Scenario 3: Out-of-state executor needing a resident agent. James Whitfield lives in Boston and is named executor in his mother Eleanor’s will. She lived in Newport, so James must appoint a Rhode Island resident agent.
| Form Section | What James Enters |
|---|---|
| County / City or Town | Newport / Newport |
| Estate of | Eleanor Grace Whitfield |
| Personal estate estimated at | $120,000 |
| Resided in / Date of Death | Newport / 03/05/2026 |
| Petitioner | James Whitfield, Son, Boston MA address, phone |
| Name of Nominee | James Whitfield, Son |
| Surviving spouse and heirs | Son James Whitfield; daughter Claire Whitfield |
| Attachment | Form PC-3.5 Appointment of Resident Agent |
How to File the Completed Form PC-1.5
Rhode Island probate is filed locally, at the Probate Court of the city or town where the deceased lived. There is no single statewide online portal for probate, so you will file in person or by mail, depending on your town’s rules. You can find your court through the RI Secretary of State Probate Forms page and your municipal website.
Filing in person. Bring the completed and notarized PC-1.5, the original will, a certified death certificate, an Acceptance (Form PC-3.4), and your fees. Hand the package to the Probate Clerk at the town hall. Fees vary by town but generally run a petition filing fee around $34, an advertising fee around $46, and a document or probate fee that can reach about $126, plus a 1% inventory fee on the estate capped at $1,500. Most courts accept cash, check, or money order; confirm before you go, since many do not take cards. Ask the clerk to stamp your copy as proof of filing.
Filing by mail. Some courts accept mailed petitions. Mail the same package to the Probate Court at your town hall’s address, with a check for the fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return a stamped copy. Use certified mail with return receipt as your proof of filing. Processing by mail is slower, often a week or more, so plan ahead if a hearing date is near.
Keep copies of everything you submit. Your stamped receipt, the certified-mail receipt, and a photocopy of the full petition are your record that the case was opened and your fees were paid.
What Happens After You File
Once the clerk dockets your petition, the court sets a hearing date and the case is advertised in a local newspaper unless every heir signed a waiver. Under RIGL 33-22-3, you must mail notice of the hearing to all heirs and beneficiaries at least 10 days before the hearing, and at least three weeks ahead for anyone living outside the continental United States. You then file a statement listing who you notified and when.
At the hearing, the judge reviews the will and the petition. Often this is a brief formality, and in many towns you do not even need to appear if there are no objections. If the judge admits the will and approves your appointment, they complete the Decree section, fix any bond, and the case moves to the appointment stage.
After approval, the court issues your Letters Testamentary, the certified document that proves your authority to act for the estate. With Letters in hand, you can open an estate bank account, access the deceased’s accounts, pay debts, and eventually distribute property. Banks and registries will ask to see certified Letters, so order several certified copies from the court.
If an interested party objects, the case can become contested and a judge will hold a fuller hearing. This is uncommon for clear, properly filed petitions, which is why getting the form right at the start protects you.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out Form PC-1.5
Each box is its own chance for an error, so review carefully before filing. Here are the errors that trip up filers most.
- Filing in the wrong town’s court, which sends the case to a court with no jurisdiction and forces a transfer or dismissal.
- Submitting a photocopy of the will instead of the original, which the court will not admit to probate.
- Attaching an uncertified death certificate, which the clerk rejects on sight.
- Signing the petition before reaching the notary, which voids the acknowledgment.
- Leaving the notary seal or commission date blank, which makes the whole petition invalid.
- Omitting an heir at law, even an estranged one, which lets that person void the decree later.
- Putting the home’s value in the personal estate box, which inflates your bond and inventory fee.
- Filling in the Decree section, which is reserved for the judge and creates a defect.
- Forgetting the Resident Agent (Form PC-3.5) when the executor lives out of state, which can block your appointment.
- Nominating yourself when the will names someone else, without a declination, which gives the court grounds to refuse you.
- Mailing the petition without the correct fees, which leaves the case undocketed.
- Using an outdated form version, which can be rejected because boxes and statute references have changed.
Do’s and Don’ts
A few simple habits keep your petition moving.
Do’s
- Do download the current PC-1.5 from the official site, because using the current revision avoids rejection.
- Do file the original will, since only the original can be admitted to probate.
- Do list every heir at law, because complete notice protects the decree from later challenge.
- Do sign only in front of a notary, since the acknowledgment is what makes the petition valid.
- Do keep a stamped copy and your fee receipt, because they prove the case was opened.
- Do confirm fees and payment methods with your town first, since each court differs.
Don’ts
- Don’t fill in the Decree section, because that is the judge’s part and writing in it creates a defect.
- Don’t guess the date of death, since it must match the certified death certificate.
- Don’t include real estate in the personal estate figure, because it raises your bond and fees.
- Don’t skip the Resident Agent form if you live out of state, since the court can refuse your appointment.
- Don’t cram heir names into the margins, because illegible filings get rejected; use Page 1A.
- Don’t ignore the 10-day notice rule, since missing it can delay or undo your hearing.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With an Attorney
Many Rhode Island estates are simple enough to handle pro se, but some are not. Weigh the trade-offs.
Pros of filing on your own
- You save attorney fees, which can run hundreds to thousands of dollars, because you do the paperwork yourself.
- You control the timeline, since you are not waiting on a lawyer’s schedule.
- The form is standardized, so a simple estate is manageable for a careful filer.
- You learn the estate firsthand, which helps with the later inventory and accounting.
- For small, friendly families with a waiver, the process can be quick and cheap.
Cons of filing on your own
- A single error, like a missing heir, can void the decree and cost far more than legal fees to fix.
- Contested estates need legal skill that most filers do not have, because objections trigger formal hearings.
- Out-of-state, blended-family, or business-asset estates carry traps a pro se filer may miss.
- You bear personal fiduciary liability, since mistakes in administration can fall on you.
- Bond, tax, and creditor rules are complex, and a lawyer catches issues before they become problems.
Related Forms and Key Entities
| Item | Role in the Process |
|---|---|
| Form PC-1.5 | The Petition for Probate of Will itself, used when there is a will and assets |
| Form PC-1.1 | Administration Petition, used when there is no will |
| Form PC-1.4 | Petition to File Will with No Assets |
| Form PC-3.4 | Acceptance or Declination by the nominee |
| Form PC-3.5 | Appointment of Resident Agent for out-of-state executors |
| Form PC-9.1 | Waiver of advertising signed by heirs |
| Local Probate Court | The town court that receives and decides the petition |
| RIGL Title 33 | The statute governing all Rhode Island probate practice |
FAQs
Do I file Form PC-1.5 if there is no will?
No. If the person died without a will, file the Administration Petition (Form PC-1.1) instead. PC-1.5 is only for estates where a valid will exists and there are assets to manage.
Do I need the original will to file?
Yes. The court will not admit a photocopy to probate. You must submit the original signed will along with your petition and a certified death certificate.
Do I list my relationship as “Son” or “Executor” in the Petitioner block?
No. The relationship field asks for your family tie to the deceased, such as Son, Daughter, or Spouse, not your court role. Your role as executor is handled by the nominee block.
Do I put the house value in the “personal estate estimated at” box?
No. That box is for personal property like accounts, vehicles, and belongings. Real estate is reported separately, and including it inflates your bond and inventory fee.
Do I complete the Decree section at the bottom of page 2?
No. The Decree is for court use only. The probate judge fills it in after the hearing to appoint you and fix the bond.
Do I have to list an heir the will disinherits?
Yes. Every heir at law must be listed and notified, even if the will leaves them nothing, or that person can later challenge and void the decree.
Do I sign the petition before going to the notary?
No. You must sign in the notary’s presence. Signing beforehand voids the acknowledgment, and the clerk will reject the filing.
Do out-of-state executors need extra paperwork?
Yes. A non-resident executor must appoint a Rhode Island resident agent using Form PC-3.5, or the court can refuse to appoint them.
Do I have to advertise the petition?
Yes, unless all heirs sign a Waiver (Form PC-9.1). Without a full waiver, the court advertises the petition in a local newspaper before the hearing.
Do all towns charge the same fees?
No. Fees vary by city and town, but expect roughly a $34 filing fee, a $46 advertising fee, and a document fee that can reach about $126, plus a 1% inventory fee capped at $1,500.
Do I attach a co-nominee if the will names two executors?
Yes. When a will names two executors, complete the Co-Nominee block with the second person’s name, relationship, and address so the court can appoint both.
Do I have to attend the probate hearing?
No, not always. Many uncontested hearings are a formality, and in numerous towns you need not appear unless someone objects or the court requests it.
Do I get proof that my petition was filed?
Yes. Ask the clerk to stamp your copy, or use certified mail with return receipt. Keep that stamped copy and your fee receipt as your record.
Do I need a lawyer to file Form PC-1.5?
No. A careful filer can handle a simple estate pro se. A lawyer is wise for contested estates, blended families, business assets, or out-of-state executors.
Related reading
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- How to Fill Out New Hampshire Petition for Probate of Will + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the District of Columbia Petition for Probate of Will + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Rhode Island Final Account and Petition for Distribution + FAQs
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