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Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73not60

§8504 Disposition of Other Unclaimed Property

Title 38 › Part VI— ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY › Chapter 85— DISPOSITION OF DECEASED VETERANS’ PERSONAL PROPERTY › Subchapter I— PROPERTY LEFT ON DEPARTMENT FACILITY › § 8504

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

If unclaimed property is found on Department grounds, the officer in charge must keep it. If the owner does not claim it within 90 days, the Secretary’s rules may allow the item to be sold, used, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of. The owner, a representative, or next of kin may get the item back by paying reasonable storage charges set by those rules. If sold, the net money goes into the post fund. The person entitled, their representative, or an assignee may be paid the proceeds, minus expenses, if they claim it within five years of finding. If the owner died without a will and left no creditors or next of kin, the legal representative may not receive the proceeds.

Full Legal Text

Title 38, §8504

Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Any other unclaimed property found on the premises under the control of the Department shall be stored by the officer in charge of such premises and may be sold, used, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary if the owner thereof fails to claim same within ninety days. If undisposed of, the same may be reclaimed by the owner, such person’s personal representative or next of kin, upon payment of reasonable storage charges prescribed by regulations. If sold, the net proceeds thereof shall be credited to said post fund to be expended as other assets of such fund. The person who was entitled to such property, or such person’s legal representative, or assignee, shall be paid the proceeds of sale thereof, less expenses if claim therefor be made within five years from the date of finding. If the owner shall have died intestate without creditors or next of kin surviving, such proceeds shall not be paid to such person’s legal representative.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 5204 of this title as this section. Pub. L. 102–83 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” and “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration”. 1986—Pub. L. 99–576 substituted “such person’s” for “his” in three places.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

38 U.S.C. § 8504

Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60