N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50A-361: Nature of authority created by agreement.

(a) An agreement under this Part is temporary and terminates pursuant to Part 4 of this Article following the return from deployment of the deployed parent, unless the agreement has been terminated before that time by court order or modification of the agreement under G.S. 50A-362. The agreement derives from the parents' custodial responsibility and does not create an independent, continuing right to caretaking authority, decision-making authority, or limited contact in an individual to whom custodial responsibility is given.

(b) A nonparent given caretaking authority, decision-making authority, or limited contact by an agreement under this Part has standing to enforce the agreement until it has been modified pursuant to an agreement of the parents under G.S. 50A-362 or terminated under Part 4 of this Article or by court order. (2013-27, s. 3.)