---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 8524"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "8524"
heading: "Disposal of remaining assets"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/8524"
units:
  - "Part VI — Acquisition and Disposition of Property"
  - "Chapter 85 — Disposition of Deceased Veterans’ Personal Property"
  - "Subchapter II — Death While Patient of Department Facility"
---

# §8524. Disposal of remaining assets


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](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) or the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’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](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) held by any person shall be paid or transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) upon demand by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) or the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’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.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1261, § 5224; Pub. L. 99–576, title VII, § 701(103), Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3300; renumbered § 8524, Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 402(b)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238; Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404, 405.)

## Notes

### 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”.