N.C. Gen. Stat. § 31D-3-310: Disposition of unappointed property under released or unexercised general power.

(a) To the extent that a power holder releases a general power of appointment other than a power to withdraw property from, revoke, or amend a trust, the gift-in-default clause controls the disposition of the unappointed property. If there is no gift-in-default clause or to the extent that the clause is ineffective, the unappointed property passes under a reversionary interest to the donor or the donor's transferee or successor in interest.

(b) To the extent a power holder fails to exercise a general power of appointment other than a power to withdraw property from, revoke, or amend a trust, the gift-in-default clause controls the disposition of the unappointed property. If there is no gift-in-default clause or to the extent the clause is ineffective, the unappointed property passes as follows:

(1) To the power holder if the power holder is a permissible appointee and living.

(2) If the power holder is an impermissible appointee or deceased, to the power holder's estate if the estate is a permissible appointee.

(3) If the power holder is an impermissible appointee or deceased and if the estate is not a permissible appointee, under a reversionary interest to the donor or the donor's transferee or successor in interest. (2015-205, s. 3(a).)