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Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73not60

§8524 Disposal of Remaining Assets

Title 38 › Part VI— ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY › Chapter 85— DISPOSITION OF DECEASED VETERANS’ PERSONAL PROPERTY › Subchapter II— DEATH WHILE PATIENT OF DEPARTMENT FACILITY › § 8524

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Leftover property or money becomes property of the United States held for the Fund and will be handled under the rules in this part of the law. If the decedent’s estate is being administered, the estate administrator must give non-money items to the Secretary (or the Secretary’s rep) when someone claims them within the time allowed by law, and must pay any money to the Treasurer of the United States for the Fund. If there is no estate administration, anyone holding money, a legal claim, or other property of the deceased must give it to the Secretary when the Secretary asks and will get an itemized receipt. That payment or transfer fully releases the person who turned over the property from claims by any administrator, creditor, or next of kin.

Full Legal Text

Title 38, §8524

Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The remainder of such assets or their proceeds shall become assets of the United States as trustee for the Fund and disposed of in accordance with this subchapter. If there is administration upon the decedent’s estate such assets, other than money, upon claim therefor within the time required by law, shall be delivered by the administrator of the estate to the Secretary or the Secretary’s authorized representative, as upon final distribution; and upon the same claim there shall be paid to the Treasurer of the United States for credit to the Fund any such money, available for final distribution. In the absence of administration, any money, chose in action, or other property of the deceased veteran held by any person shall be paid or transferred to the Secretary upon demand by the Secretary or the Secretary’s duly authorized representative, who shall deliver itemized receipt therefor. Such payment or transfer shall constitute a complete acquittance of the transferor with respect to any claims by any administrator, creditor, or next of kin of such decedent.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 5224 of this title as this section. Pub. L. 102–83 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” and “Secretary’s” for “Administrator’s” wherever appearing. 1986—Pub. L. 99–576 substituted “the Administrator’s” for “his” in two places, and “the Administrator” for “him”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

38 U.S.C. § 8524

Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60