(a)        Parties interested in the real property may agree at any time during the proceeding to mediation of a partition. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.1 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.3B apply to a mediation under this section.

(b)        When a partition sale is requested, the court, on its own motion or a motion of a party, may order mediation before considering whether to order a sale. ?(2009-512, s. 3; 2020-23, ss. 2(z), 3.)