If it appears to the court that it was necessary to have made an abstract of the title to the property to be partitioned, and such abstract shall have been procured by the plaintiff, or if the plaintiff shall have failed to have the same made before the commencement of the action, and any of the defendants shall have had such abstract afterwards made, the cost of the abstract, with interest thereon, from the time the same is subject to the inspection of the respective parties, must be allowed and taxed. Whenever such abstract is produced by the plaintiff before the commencement of the action, the plaintiff must file with the complaint a notice that an abstract of the title has been made and is subject to the inspection and use of all the parties to the action, designating therein where the abstract will be kept for inspection. If the plaintiff shall have failed to procure such abstract before commencing the action and any defendant shall procure the same to be made, the defendant, as soon as the defendant has directed it to be made, shall file a notice thereof in the action with the clerk of the court, stating who is making the same and where it will be kept when finished. The court or the judge thereof may direct, from time to time during the progress of the action, who shall have the custody of the abstract.
N.D.C.C. § 32-16-47