N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15B-17: Award not subject to taxation or execution.

(a) An award is exempt from taxation.

(b) An award is not subject to execution, attachment, garnishment, or other process, except that, upon receipt of an award by a claimant, the part of the award that is for allowable expense is not exempt from such an action by a creditor to the extent that he provides products, services, or accommodations the costs of which are included in the award, and the part of the award that is for work loss is not exempt from such an action to secure payment of alimony, maintenance, or child support. (1983, c. 832, s. 1; 1991, c. 301, s. 1.)