Rhode Island General Laws Title 45. Towns and Cities § 45-32-36. Unknown owners

If any real property or any estate or interest in it is unclaimed or held by a person or persons whose whereabouts are unknown, after making inquiry satisfactory to the superior court for the county in which the real property lies, the agency, after the expiration of one year from the first publication of the copy of the resolution and declaration referred to in § 45-32-31, may petition the court that the value of the estate or interest of the unknown person or persons be determined. After notice by publication to those persons as ordered by the court, and after hearing on the petition, the court shall fix the value of the estate or interest, and order the agency to deposit the sum in the registry of the court in a special account to accumulate for the benefit of the person, if any, entitled to it. The agency making the deposit shall take the receipt of the clerk of the superior court, and be discharged from all liability. When the person entitled to the money deposited has satisfied the superior court of his or her right to receive it, the court shall cause it to be paid over to that person, with all accumulations.