AARON L. GREEN and MILDRED GREEN PATE v. POLLY PATE WILSON, Individually and as Administratrix of the Estate of WADELL H. PATE, LYDIA P. DUGAN, JANET PATE HOLMES, DARIAN PATE, BRYAN PATE, and LINDSEY PATE

No. 160PA04

(Filed 17 December 2004)

On discretionary review pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 7A-31 of a unanimous decision of the Court of Appeals, 163 N.C. App. 186, 592 S.E.2d 579 (2004), reversing and vacating a stay order signed 14 May 2003 by Judge Kenneth Crow in Superior Court, New Hanover County. Heard in the Supreme Court 7 December 2004.1

Johnson, Lambeth & Brown, by Robert W. Johnson, Maynard M. Brown and Anna J. Averitt, for plaintiff-appellees.

Marshall, Williams & Gorham, LLP, by Charles D. Meier, for defendant-appellants Polly Pate Wilson, Janet Pate Holmes, and Darían Pate.