{"data":{"id":"us/38-cfr-14.504","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"38 CFR 14.504","heading":"Domestic relations questions, authority and exceptions.","body":"(a) Regional Counsels have the same authority with respect to domestic relations questions as they do with respect to matters covered by § 14.503 except as specifically excluded by the provisions of paragraph (a) of that section.\n(b) In the following instances the Regional Counsel, regardless of whether State law is wholly controlling or a Department of Veterans Affairs precedent is available, will prepare a tentative opinion, researched as completely as possible with reasonably available facilities, and forward two copies thereof directly to the General Counsel for review and disposition (as provided in § 14.503 respecting other than domestic relations matters):\n(1) Where it is not clear under applicable State law: (i) Whether the marriage of a veteran's child or the remarriage of a veteran's widow was void without decree of annulment, or (ii) whether an annulment decree was rendered by a court with basic authority to render annulment decrees;\n(2) When fraud or collusion by either party appears to have influenced the granting of an annulment decree;\n(3) Cases in which there are contesting claims;\n(4) Unusual situations, such as those involving proxy marriages, the law of two or more jurisdictions or of a foreign country;\n(5) Cases involving difference of opinion between Regional Counsels or between a Regional Counsel and the official who submitted the question involved.","path":["Title 38—Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief","CHAPTER I—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS","PART 14—LEGAL SERVICES, GENERAL COUNSEL, AND MISCELLANEOUS CLAIMS"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-38.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:25:50Z","sha256":"c0deabc5f86919558e66759c8987ecb06c53810c13662e090ff6a4a280503238","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/38-cfr-14.503","next":"us/38-cfr-14.505"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}