Some states have a procedural tool—known as a suit on an account, a suit for an account, or a suit on a sworn account—that limits the evidence and pleading requirements for a creditor to establish its right to recovery on certain types of accounts in a lawsuit to collect a debt. These procedural tools are designed to reduce the cost of a creditor’s recovery of a debt on such accounts, and usually apply to transactions in which there is a sale upon one side and a purchase upon the other, and title to personal property passes from one to the other, creating a debtor-creditor relationship by a general course of dealing.

A sworn account is not an independent cause of action or basis for recovery, but requires the defendant to file a sworn denial of the account to avoid having the court grant judgment against the defendant early in the litigation process (summary judgment).

Rhode Island does not have a specific procedural tool known as a 'suit on an account,' 'suit for an account,' or 'suit on a sworn account' that is distinct from other debt collection procedures. In Rhode Island, creditors seeking to recover debts typically file a civil lawsuit and must prove their case through the standard legal process, which includes the pleading requirements, discovery, and potential trial. The creditor must establish the existence of the debt, the amount owed, and the debtor's default. If the creditor has sufficient evidence, they may seek a summary judgment, which is a judgment entered by the court without a full trial when there is no dispute over the material facts of the case. Defendants in Rhode Island are required to respond to the lawsuit and can contest the debt by filing an answer with the court, but there is no specific requirement for a 'sworn denial' unique to debt collection cases. It is advisable for individuals or entities involved in such matters to consult with an attorney to understand the specific legal requirements and defenses available in their case.