N.C. Gen. Stat. § 59-304

(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), a person who makes a contribution to a business enterprise and erroneously but in good faith believes that the person has become a limited partner in the enterprise is not a general partner in the enterprise and is not bound by its obligations by reason of making the contribution, receiving distributions from the enterprise, or exercising any rights of a limited partner, if, on ascertaining the mistake, he: Causes an appropriate certificate of limited partnership [or] certificate of amendment to be executed and filed; or

(2) Withdraws from future equity participation in the enterprise.

(3) A person who makes a contribution of the kind described in subsection (a) of this section is liable as a general partner to any third party who transacts business with the enterprise in the case in which: The third party actually believed in good faith that the person was a general partner at the time of the transaction; and

(4) The third party transacted business with the enterprise before either: An appropriate certificate has been filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to reflect that the person is not a general partner; or

(5) The person has given notice to the partnership of withdrawal from future equity participation and before the withdrawal was effective.