(a) Before final determination of a proceeding to partition real property, on application of any of the parties, the court may make any orders that it finds to be in the best interest of the parties, including, but not limited to, orders relating to possession, payment of secured debt or other liens on the property, occupancy and payment of rents, the appointment of a receiver pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-502(6) or a limited receiver for the real property pursuant to Article 38A of Chapter 1 of the N.C. Gen. Stat., and access to the property for the purpose of inspecting, surveying, appraising, or selling the property.

(b) A party making a written application under subsection (a) of this section shall serve a copy of the application on all other parties and any other person the court may require. The court shall schedule a hearing on the application, if, within 10 days of being served, a person files a response in opposition to the application or requests a hearing. If no person files a response or requests a hearing within 10 days of being served, the court may decide the application without a hearing. (1981, c. 584, s. 1; 2020-23, ss. 2(e), 3; 2020-75, s. 3(e); 2021-93, s. 8.)