R.I. Fam. Ct. R. Dom. Rel. P. 31

(a) Serving

Questions; Notice.

(1) A party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition

upon written questions without leave of court except as provided in paragraph (2).

The attendance of witnesses may be compelled by the use of a subpoena as provided

in Rule 45.

(2) A party must obtain leave of court, which shall be granted to the extent

consistent with the principles stated in Rule 26(b)(1), if the person to be examined

is confined in prison or if, without the written stipulation of the parties, the person

to be examined has already been deposed in the case.

(3) A party desiring to take a deposition upon written questions shall serve them

upon every other party with a notice stating;

(A) The name and address of the person who is to answer them, if known, and if

the name is not known, a general description sufficient to identify the person or the

particular class or group to which the person belongs; and

(B) The name or descriptive title and address of the officer before whom the

deposition is to be taken. A deposition upon written questions may be taken of a

public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency

in accordance with the provisions of Rule 30(b)(6).

(4) Within fifteen (15) days after the notice and written questions are served, a

party may serve cross questions upon all other parties. Within five (5) days after

being served with cross questions, a party may serve redirect questions upon all other

parties. Within five (5) days after being served with redirect questions, a party may

serve recross questions upon all other parties. The court may for cause shown enlarge

or shorten the time.

(b) Officer to Take Responses and Prepare Record. A copy of the notice and

copies of all questions served shall be delivered by the party taking the deposition to

the officer designated in the notice, who shall proceed promptly, in the manner

provided by Rule 30(c), (e), and (f) to take the testimony of the witness in response

to the questions and to prepare, certify, and unless otherwise ordered by the court,

to send the deposition to the examining attorney or self-represented litigant, who

shall retain the transcript as provided in Rule 30(f)(1), attaching thereto the copy of

the notice and the questions received by the officer.