# R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-5: Contents of complaint

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-5

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-5
- **Heading:** Contents of complaint
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-16 / Section 34-16-5

## Text

The complaint shall contain, among other things, to the extent known to plaintiff:

(1) A complete and accurate description of the real estate involved, and the right, title and interest of the plaintiff claimed therein and the character and source thereof;

(2) A recital of the character and source of claims adverse, or which may become adverse, whether asserted or unasserted, and, if unasserted, then of record;

(3) The names and last known addresses of those asserting, or who may assert, any adverse claims;

(4) The efforts made to ascertain and determine those claimants, who, or whose names and/or addresses, are unknown to plaintiff;

(5) The duration of ownership, occupation, possession, and enjoyment by the plaintiff, and when relevant, by his or her predecessors in title, of the estate involved, together with a recital of acts performed as a normal incident of the possession enjoyed and the title claimed.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-1 § 34-16-1. Action brought by person claiming through sale or proceedings requiring notice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-2 § 34-16-2. Examination of title €” Notice to parties in interest.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-3 § 34-16-3. Determination of title €” Decree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-4 § 34-16-4. Action brought by person claiming through conveyance, devise, or inheritance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-5 § 34-16-5. Contents of complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-6 § 34-16-6. Filing of abstract of title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-7 § 34-16-7. Presumption of lost grant by adverse possession.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-8 § 34-16-8. Parties barred by presumption of lost grant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-9 § 34-16-9. Inclusion of unknown defendants in complaint.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-10 § 34-16-10. Service of process on residents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-11 § 34-16-11. Service on nonresidents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-11.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-12 § 34-16-12. Service on defendants unknown or with unknown addresses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-12.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-13 § 34-16-13. Proof of service €” Jurisdiction of parties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-13.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-14 § 34-16-14. Proof of title €” Judgment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-16_S34-16-5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.