                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CONSTRUCTION OF GENERIC TERMS (§ 55.1-302)

In the interpretation of deeds, adopted persons and persons born out of wedlock
are included in class gift terminology or terms of relationship in accordance
with rules for determining relationships for purposes of intestate succession
unless a contrary intent appears on the face of the deed. In determining the
intent of a grantor, adopted persons are presumptively included in such terms as
&#8220;children,&#8221; &#8220;issue,&#8221; &#8220;kindred,&#8221;
&#8220;heirs,&#8221; &#8220;relatives,&#8221; &#8220;descendants,&#8221; or
similar words of classification and are presumptively excluded by such terms as
&#8220;natural children,&#8221; &#8220;issue of the body,&#8221; &#8220;blood
kindred,&#8221; &#8220;heirs of the body,&#8221; &#8220;blood relatives,&#8221;
&#8220;descendants of the body,&#8221; or similar words of classification.

HISTORY: 1987, c. 604, § 55-49.1; 2019, c. 712.