38 USC § 5506 - Definition of “fiduciary”

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s5506"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 5506 - Definition of “fiduciary”"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "5506"
section_name: "Definition of “fiduciary”"
chapter_number: 55
chapter_name: "MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND OTHER WARDS"
part_number: "IV"
part_name: "GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 108–454, title V, § 501(a)(1), Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3617.)"
---


# § 5506. Definition of “fiduciary”

For purposes of this chapter and chapter 61 of this title, the term “fiduciary” means—

**(1)** a person who is a guardian, curator, conservator, committee, or person legally vested with the responsibility or care of a claimant (or a claimant’s estate) or of a beneficiary (or a beneficiary’s estate); or

**(2)** any other person having been appointed in a representative capacity to receive money paid under any of the laws administered by the Secretary for the use and benefit of a minor, incompetent, or other beneficiary.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 108–454, title V, § 501(a)(1), Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3617.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the first day of the seventh month beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date of 2004 Amendment note under .