For purposes of this chapter, “domestic partner” shall be defined as a person who, prior to the decedent’s death, was in an exclusive, intimate and committed relationship with the decedent, and who certifies by affidavit that their relationship met the following qualifications: (1) Both partners were at least eighteen (18) years of age and were mentally competent to contract; (2) Neither partner was married to anyone else; (3) Partners were not related by blood to a degree which would prohibit marriage in the state of Rhode Island; (4) Partners resided together and had resided together for at least one year at the time of death; and (5) Partners were financially interdependent as evidenced by at least two (2) of the following: (i) Domestic partnership agreement or relationship contract; (ii) Joint mortgage or joint ownership of primary residence; (iii) Two (2) of: (A) joint ownership of motor vehicle; (B) joint checking account; (C) joint credit account; (D) joint lease; and/or (iv) The domestic partner had been designated as a beneficiary for the decedent’s will, retirement contract or life insurance.
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