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.