N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-440.32

(1) Pursuant to a judgment against a garnishee, execution may be issued against such garnishee prior to judgment against the defendant in the principal action. The court may issue such execution without notice or hearing. All property seized pursuant to such execution shall be held subject to the order of the court pending judgment in the principal action.

(2) The court, pending judgment in the principal action, may permit the property to remain in the garnishee's possession upon the garnishee's giving a bond in the same manner and on the same conditions as is provided by G.S. 1-440.39 with respect to the discharge of an attachment by the defendant.