28A-12-3. Qualification and bond.
(a) The public administrator shall qualify and give bond with regard to each estate administered by the public administrator as provided in Article 8 of this Chapter, at the expense of such estate.
(b) As an alternative to and in lieu of the bonding requirement provided in subsection (a), the administrator may, in the discretion of the clerk of superior court, enter into a single permanent bond, secured by any of the methods provided in G.S. 28A-8-2(4), payable to the State of North Carolina, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the administrator's office and obedience to all lawful orders of the clerk of superior court or other court touching the administration of any estate committed to the administrator. The amount of the permanent bond shall be determined by the clerk, based on the total value of all the estates administered by the public administrator, and may be increased or decreased from time to time as the clerk determines is necessary. The expense of the bond shall be borne by the estates administered by the administrator, as determined by the clerk.