N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-537: Action by heirs.

Every heir may bring action for waste committed on lands, tenements, or hereditaments of his own inheritance, as well in the time of his ancestor as in his own. (6 Edw. I, c. 5; 20 Edw. I, st. 2; 11 Hen. VI, c. 5; R.C., c. 116, s. 5; Code, s. 628; Rev., s. 857; C.S., s. 892.)