Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-102
§8503 Notice of Provisions of This Subchapter
Title 38 › PART VI — ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY › CHAPTER 85 — DISPOSITION OF DECEASED VETERANS’ PERSONAL PROPERTY › SUBCHAPTER I — PROPERTY LEFT ON DEPARTMENT FACILITY › § 8503
Summary
Department facilities must notify anyone who brings personal property about these rules. For mentally incompetent people, notice must go to their guardian, custodian, or nearest relative. Staying after notice is consent; death or abandoned property proves agreement to dispose.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §8503
Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
All persons having or bringing personal property on the premises of a Department facility shall be given reasonable notice of the provisions of this subchapter. In case of a mentally incompetent person, notice hereof shall be given the guardian or other person having custody or control of such person or, if none, to such person’s nearest relative if known. The admission to or continued maintenance in such facility after reasonable notice of the provisions of this subchapter shall constitute consent to the provisions hereof. The death of any person on any such facility or the leaving of property thereon shall be prima facie evidence of a valid agreement for the disposition of such property in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 5203 of this title as this section. Pub. L. 102–83 substituted “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration”. 1986—Pub. L. 99–576 substituted “such person’s” for “his” in second sentence.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 8503
Title 38, Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102