§ 18-16-10. Benefits from military service. (a) In a statutory short form of power of attorney, the language conferring general authority with respect to benefits from military service shall be construed to mean that the principal authorizes the agent:

(1) To execute vouchers in the name of the principal for any allowances and reimbursements payable by the United States, or by any state or subdivision of it, to the principal, including, but not limited to, all allowances and reimbursements for transportation of the principal and of his or her dependents, and for shipment of household effects; to receive, endorse and collect the proceeds of any check payable to the order of the principal drawn of the treasurer or other fiscal officer or depository of the United States or of any state or subdivision thereof;

(2) To take possession and order the removal and shipment of any property of the principal from any post, warehouse, depot, dock or other place of storage or safekeeping, either governmental or private; to execute and deliver any release, voucher, receipt, bill of lading, shipping ticket, certificate or other instrument which the agent deems to be desirable or necessary for this purpose;

(3) To prepare, file, and prosecute the claim of the principal to any benefit or assistance, financial or otherwise, to which the principal is, or claims to be entitled, under the provisions of any statute or regulation existing at the creation of the agency or thereafter enacted by the United States or by any state or by any subdivision of it, or any foreign government, which benefit or assistance arises from or is based upon military service performed prior to or after the creation of the agency by the principal or by any person related by blood or by marriage to the principal; to execute any receipt or other instrument which the agent deems desirable or necessary for the enforcement or for the collection of the claim;

(4) To receive the financial proceeds of any claim of the type described in this section; to conserve, invest, disburse or utilize any proceeds received for purposes enumerated in this section, and to be reimbursed for any expenditures properly made by him or her in the execution of the powers conferred on him or her by the statutory short form of power of attorney;

(5) To prosecute, defend, submit to arbitration, settle, and propose or accept a compromise with respect to, any claim existing in favor of, or against, the principal based on or involving any benefits from military service, or to intervene in any action or proceeding relating thereto;

(6) To hire, discharge and compensate any attorney, accountant, expert witness, or other assistant or assistants when the agent deems this action to be desirable for the proper execution by him or her of any of the powers described in this section; and

(7) In general, and in addition to all the specific acts enumerated in this section, to do any other act or acts, which the principal can do through an agent, and which the agent deems desirable or necessary, to assure to the principal, and to the dependents of the principal, the maximum possible benefit from the military service performed prior to or after the creation of the agency by the principal or by any person related by blood or marriage to the principal.

(b) All powers described in this section shall be equally exercisable with respect to any benefits from military service existing at the giving of the power of attorney or thereafter accruing, whether accruing in the state of Rhode Island or elsewhere.

History of Section. (P.L. 1996, ch. 375, § 1.)