R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-20-8
Whenever a person, hereinafter referred to as an absentee, who while serving in or with the armed forces of the United States, or while serving as a merchant seaman, has been reported or listed as missing, or missing in action, or interned in a neutral country, or beleaguered, besieged, or captured by an enemy, has an interest in any form of property in this state or is a legal resident of this state and has not provided an adequate power of attorney authorizing another to act in his or her behalf in regard to his or her property or interest, then, the probate court of the city or town of the absentee's legal domicile or of the city or town where the property is situated, upon petition alleging the foregoing facts and showing the necessity for providing care of the property of the absentee made by any person who would have an interest in the property of the absentee were the absentee deceased, or on the court's own motion, after notice to, or on receipt of proper waivers from, the heirs and next of kin of the absentee as provided by law for the administration of an estate, and upon good cause being shown, may, after finding the facts to be as provided in this section, appoint a conservator to take charge of the absentee's estate, under the supervision and subject to the further orders of the court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-20-8