The first step in a partition proceeding is filing a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court in the appropriate jurisdiction. In a partition proceeding under this Article, the court shall order one of the following methods of partitioning the real property: (1).A partition action requires a number of steps and gets increasingly complicated as to process moves along. I definitely wouldn't try it without an attorney. Additionally, the time for filing an answer or other pleading in partition proceedings is within 30 days after the date of service of summons. Land partition law in North Carolina encompasses a set of legal procedures and principles that govern the division of real property among co-owners.