64.2 200 CODE OF VA CODE
Code § 64.2–202(B) provides that “collaterals of the half blood shall inherit only half as much as those of the whole blood.” Code § 64.2–202(B) begins with the phrase “otwithstanding the provisions of subsection A.” This phrase indicates that the half-blood rule of Code § 64.2–202(B) operates to modify only the application of Code § 64.2–202(A).(27 Gratt.) 325, 327 (1876) (“Whenever those entitled to partition are in the same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall take per capita or by persons and where a part of them being dead and a part living, the issue of those dead shall take per stirpes.”). Once the number of shares is calculated, one share is distributed to each “such heir and distributee” on a per capita basis and to “such descendants” on a per stirpes basis. In particular, under Code § 64.2–202(A) the decedent's estate must be divided into equal shares based on the number of “heirs and distributees” who qualify as part of the relevant class, so long as such persons either survive the decedent's death, or, if they did not survive the decedent's death, such persons left descendants who did survive the decedent's death. We now turn to Code § 64.2–202, which governs the distribution of a decedent's estate among all persons who qualify as part of the class to whom the decedent's estate passes under Code § 64.2–200, and addresses when persons take per capita, when persons take per stirpes, and the treatment of collaterals of the half blood.Similarly, “statutes dealing with a specific subject must be construed together in order to arrive at the object sought to be accomplished.” Alston v. Thus, we must consider “a statute in its entirety, rather than by isolating particular words or phrases.” Small v. Further, “we do not read statutes in isolation.” L.F., 285 Va.Also, we construe the statute's plain language in a manner that avoids absurdity. However, we look beyond the words of the statute to help ascertain what those words mean if the statutory language is ambiguous. (internal quotation marks omitted) see also Boynton v.
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Typically, this only requires applying the plain meaning of the words used in the statute because the General Assembly's intent “is usually self-evident from the statutory language.” Id. We construe statutes to “ascertain and give effect to the intention” of the General Assembly. Well established principles guide our analysis.