(a) Parties interested in the real property may agree at any time during the proceeding to mediation of a partition. G.S. 7A-38.1 and G.S. 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.)