North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 58. Insurance § 58-58-165. Exemption from execution

No policy of group insurance, nor the proceeds thereof, when paid to any employee or employees thereunder, shall be liable to attachment, garnishment, or other process, or to be seized, taken, appropriated or applied by any legal or equitable process or operation of law, to pay any debt or liability of such employee, or his beneficiary, or any other person who may have a right thereunder, either before or after payment; but the proceeds thereof, when made payable to the estate of the employee insured, shall constitute a part of the estate of such employee available for the payment of debts.