Validity of non-stepparent adoptions when the minor's biological parent also seeks to retain parental rights

Termination of parental rights; whether the trial court abused its discretion by not holding a hearing to determine whether a guardian ad litem should have been appointed for the minor child's mother

Adjudication of neglect; whether trial court was required to make a specific finding that the minor child was at substantial risk

Whether a settlement agreed to by all parties in open court to sell land for a specified price in exchange for a deed to the property complied with N.C.G.S. § 22-2, the Statute of Frauds

Whether in submitting joined mutually exclusive crimes to the jury for determination, the trial court committed plain error in not instructing the jury that it could find defendant guilty of either crime, but not both crimes

Insurance coverage; 'Insured'; ownership of vehicle; duty to defend; lack of cooperation

Claim of negligent construction and breach of contract by subsequent owner; Rule 12(b)(6); sufficiency of complaint

Easement - trial court may look at any evidence and use common sense for exploration of terms

Workers' Compensation Benefits; Causation; Credibility

Foreclosure; Timeliness of Request to Enjoin

Builder's risk insurance policy; failure to report is matter of coverage

Taxpayer standing; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 158-7.1; public purpose doctrine; exclusive emoluments

Foreclosure; Authority of Clerk; Audit of Final Report; Attorney as Trustee

Property tax appeal; subject matter jurisdiction; time limit

N.C. Civil Procedure Rule of Statute of Limitations

Summary judgment - denied on issue of agency

Assertion of Fifth Amendment rights in civil case; striking of affirmative defenses