NC S445

Certified copies of court-filed documents may be recorded by the register of deeds without meeting standard formatting requirements that apply to other instruments.

Small claims appeal periods now begin when judgment is rendered rather than when it is entered, and appeals must be perfected within 10 days for summary ejectments and 20 days for other actions.

Courts must issue written findings when authorizing indigent appeals in small claims cases, specifying either the poverty criteria met or non-criteria-based reasons for authorization.

Willful and wanton damage to residential real property valued at $1,000 or more is upgraded from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class I felony.

Fraudulently renting or leasing residential property without lawful ownership interest is a Class H felony, and fraudulently advertising property for sale without legal authority is a Class I felony; these actions also constitute violations of consumer protection law.