After a voluntary dismissal to fix defective service, do we need to start completely over, or can anything from the first case be reused? – NC

After a voluntary dismissal to fix defective service, do we need to start completely over, or can anything from the first case be reused? – North Carolina Short Answer Under North Carolina law, a voluntary dismissal without prejudice generally ends the first partition action and requires filing a new special proceeding with proper service. The…

What happens if we can’t access the interior—will a CMA or an appraisal be enough evidence for court? – NC

What happens if we can’t access the interior—will a CMA or an appraisal be enough evidence for court? – North Carolina Short Answer In a North Carolina partition case, a court may consider both a broker’s comparative market analysis (CMA) and a licensed appraiser’s report as evidence of value, even if the interior cannot be…

How do sale costs, agent commissions, and any liens get paid and divided among co‑owners after a court‑ordered sale? – NC

How do sale costs, agent commissions, and any liens get paid and divided among co‑owners after a court‑ordered sale? – North Carolina Short Answer In a North Carolina partition sale, the court controls how the sale proceeds are collected and paid out. Sale expenses and approved commissions come off the top, then valid liens and…

How are shares divided when a co‑owner died before the case and their children or grandchildren are the ones who would inherit? – NC

How are shares divided when a co‑owner died before the case and their children or grandchildren are the ones who would inherit? – North Carolina Short Answer In a North Carolina partition case, a deceased co-owner’s share normally passes to that person’s heirs or devisees, and the partition court uses those inherited shares, not the…