How do I get a rent bond released?

[Tim B.]

We had a tenant evicted in Feb of 2017 for non-payment. The court ruled to evict them but they appealed and I just found out that they had to pay a rent bond to the court when they appealed (they have since moved out and I have sold the house). The clerk of court couldn't really tell me what I need to do to get the money released to me (other than a judge had to release it) and suggested I hire an attorney but I don't want to spend the money I am owed to pay attorney fees, especially if it's something I can do myself. This is all in NC. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you handle it?