(401) 307-5556Have a question about estate planning, but don’t know where to start?
Have a question about estate planning, but don’t know where to start?
Advising You Step By Step
Advising You Step By Step
Trusted Estate Planning Attorney in Rhode Island
How Our Rhode Island Estate Planning Services Can Help You
Home Deed & Title Services
Our Home Deed Re-Title Service ensures that your property is legally recorded under the correct and updated ownership–protecting your home, your estate, and your loved ones. Whether you’re adding or removing a name, transferring property into a trust, or updating your feed after major life changes, we handle the process with precision and care.
Special Needs Trusts
Planning for the long-term care of a loved one with disabilities requires both compassion and precision. As a special needs trust attorney in Rhode Island, Jill M. Santiago helps families create trusts that protect assets while preserving essential government benefits. You’ll receive a thoughtfully crafted plan that supports your loved one’s security and quality of life.
Estate Planning
Every family is different. As an estate planning attorney in Rhode Island, Jill M. Santiago creates wills, trusts, and comprehensive plans that protect what matters most. Whether you’re starting fresh or updating an existing plan, you’ll receive clear guidance and a tailored strategy that ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.
Probate
Navigating the legal process after losing a loved one can feel overwhelming. As a probate attorney in Rhode Island, Jill M. Santiago provides clear, steady guidance through every step of the probate process—from filing court documents to settling debts and distributing assets. With reliable support and attention to detail, you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.
What Clients Say About Working With JMS Law
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Pastor Ron Provencal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Google Review
“Jill and the staff were very helpful in walking us through the process of transferring ownership of a piece of real estate from the estate of one of our congregation members to the church. Everything went very well and Jill was available to answer our many questions. It was a pleasure working with Jill. Pastor Ron Provencal Lakewood Baptist Church”
Carol-Anne Blackwell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Google Review
“I attended a virtual presentation by Jill M. Santiago on estate planning, and I was incredibly impressed. The presentation was thorough, informative, and easy to follow, even for someone new to the estate planning process. Jill explained complex topics in a way that was clear and approachable, which gave me confidence in her expertise. Her professionalism and depth of knowledge stood out, and it’s clear she genuinely cares about helping her clients make informed decisions. I plan to work with her in the coming months to set up my estate plan and feel reassured knowing I’ll be in such capable hands. Highly recommend Jill for anyone looking for guidance in this area!”
Andrew Wojciechowski ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Google Review
“After the loss of my husband, I found myself in need of a new will. Jill Santiago and her team at JMS Law made a painful situation less difficult with their kindness, professionalism, and knowledge of estate planning. There is a kind of comfort in knowing that there is a solid plan in place and I thank Jill Santiago for that. -Andy”
Eric S ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Google Review
“I met with Attorney Santiago to prepare a living trust for my estate to cover my house, business assets and retirement accounts. She walked me through all of the steps and the advantages of setting up the trust, took care of including all aspects and setting things up so my children can benefit from everything. She was very professional, took the time to listen to my circumstances, handled the business aspect of it without missing a beat and helped me to protect the house and my investments. I recommend Attorney Santiago without hesitation. Nobody likes planning estate things really but she made this process simple, easy and now I feel a lot better knowing everything is set for my children.”
Rhode Island Estate Planning FAQs
Answers to common questions before you take the next step.
The investment depends on whether your plan is will-based or trust-based and on the complexity of your family’s needs. JMS Law publishes its pricing and fee structure openly on this site, so there are no surprises. Watch our free Estate Planning 101 video and you’ll receive a free 60-minute consultation, normally $450, to discuss what fits your situation.
A will names who inherits your property, but it only takes effect after you pass away, and it must go through the court process first. A trust takes effect the moment you sign it, keeps your affairs private, and lets your family avoid court. Most of our Rhode Island clients choose a trust-based plan for exactly that reason.
For most homeowners and parents in Rhode Island, a will alone is not enough. JMS Law builds trust-based estate plans because they protect your home, provide for your children on your terms, and spare your family the delays and costs of court. We’ll help you decide what fits your situation in a simple first conversation.
A complete plan typically includes a revocable living trust, a will, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, a living will, and properly retitled property. Each piece does a different job, and the gaps between them are where families run into trouble. Jill M. Santiago walks you through every document step by step, so nothing is missing when your family needs it.
Yes. Assets properly held in a living trust pass directly to your loved ones without court involvement. That means faster distributions, lower costs, and privacy for your family. The key is funding the trust correctly, including retitling your home, which we handle as part of every trust-based plan.
The right planning, done early, can help protect your home and savings from long-term care costs. Through Medicaid pre-planning, JMS Law helps Rhode Island families position assets ahead of time. The sooner you plan, the more options you have, and this is one area where waiting truly costs.
A special needs trust provides for a loved one with a disability without disqualifying them from essential government benefits. If you have a child or family member who receives, or may someday need, SSI or Medicaid, this trust belongs in your estate plan. Leaving money to them directly, even with the best intentions, can put those benefits at risk. JMS Law builds special needs trusts as part of a full estate plan.
Rhode Island law decides who inherits your property, not you. The court determines your heirs by statute, which may not match your wishes and can leave unmarried partners, stepchildren, and charities with nothing. A plan of your own puts those decisions back in your hands.
Your home must be legally retitled into the trust for the trust to control it, an often-missed step that quietly undoes the plan’s benefits. JMS Law’s Home Deed & Title service handles the deed work, recording, and follow-through so your property is protected correctly.
Sí. JMS Law offers Spanish-speaking estate planning services so every family can plan with full understanding and confidence. Estate planning involves terms that matter, and no one should have to sign documents they do not fully understand. Ask about a Spanish-language consultation when you call (401) 307-5556 or book online.Sí. JMS Law offers Spanish-speaking estate planning services so every family can plan with full understanding and confidence. Estate planning involves terms that matter, and no one should have to sign documents they do not fully understand. Ask about a Spanish-language consultation when you call (401) 307-5556 or book online.
Still have questions?
Our Blog: What’s New In Estate Planning…
Every piece of content was written by Attorney Jill Santiago without assistance from Artificial Intelligence or another organization. ✅
Browse By Category
Wills & Trusts
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Family & Life-Stage Planning
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Estate Planning Basics
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Funeral Planning
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Elder Planning
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Probate & Estate Administration
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Grandparents
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Estate Plan Reviews & Updates
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Powers of Attorney & Healthcare Directives
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Prenups, Marriage & Divorce
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Real Estate & Titling
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Trustees & Trust Management
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Beneficiaries & Inheritance
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Special Needs Trusts
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Jill's Story
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Single Women
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Pet Trusts
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Browse Recently Published
Can I Put My House Into a Trust If I Have a Mortgage?
4 Estate Planning Moves for Couples Getting Married
Are My Funeral Arrangements/Plans Included In My Will?
Free Estate Planning Book by Jill M. Santiago
In Death, Taxes & Change, estate planning attorney Jill M. Santiago guides you through the complex (and often overwhelming) world of wills, trusts, and future planning—with clarity, compassion, and zero legal jargon. Whether you’re a Rhode Island resident, a snowbird with property in multiple states, or someone with loved ones who have special needs, this book equips you to create a plan that reflects your values and avoids unnecessary court battles.
Brian Wilk ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Google Review
“My wife and I searched out multiple attorneys for our irrevocable trust and after much research, we chose JMS Law. Our reasons included the dozens of positive reviews and her book, which explained nearly everything a person would need to know about trusts and estates.
The book was written so the average layperson could easily understand and navigate this confusing environment. An irrevocable trust is for most people, the most important document they will ever enter into as it affects so much of your life’s work and the folks you love the most.
If you’re looking for an attorney who takes the time to listen to what your needs are, gives constructive feedback, and does what she says she will do, then stop searching and call Jill. I am 100% satisfied that my needs were met and that a thorough and professional job was done to make our irrevocable trust the best it could possibly be. Our legacy is now secured and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Contact Us
Our Primary Line: (401) 307-5556
📍 2348 Post Rd Suite 106, Warwick, RI 02886
Wakefield Professional Building
238 Robinson St, Wakefield, RI 02879
monday 9 am – 5 pm
tuesday 9 am – 5 pm
wednesday 9 am – 5 pm
thursday 9 am – 5 pm
friday 9 am – 5 pm
saturday/sunday Closed
