R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-17-18: Dismissal of person served who holds no property.

If it shall appear by the disclosure that the person who or partnership or corporation which had been served as trustee with a copy of such writ, had not any of the personal estate of the defendant in his, her, or its hands, then the action or suit shall be dismissed, and the trustee who shall appear to defend the action shall recover the costs, unless the court has acquired personal jurisdiction over the defendant.