The complaint purports to set forth three claims for relief:
(1) absolute divorce,
(2) enforcement of validly executed separation agreement, and
(3)equitable distribution.
The parties are husband and wife. They separated 21 November 1980. In the second claim the plaintiff-wife pleads the valid existence of two deeds of separation (the first, on 21 November 1980; the second, superseding the first, on 2 June 1981), attaches copies as exhibits, incorporates them into the pleadings by reference, and asks that they be incorporated into the divorce decree and enforced under the contempt powers of the court.
By the third claim for equitable distribution the wife seeks to bring herself within the provision of G.S. 50-20, et seq., and in argument contends that this is a claim seeking alternative relief. This claim does not contend that the property settlement included within the deeds of separation in the second claim is subject to any infirmity. She does not contend that the separation agreement is unfair or invalid for any reason. She does not allege any breach. Rather, as evidenced by her second claim for relief, she has pled the creation of a valid separation agreement, participated in by herself, and asks that it be enforced.
The action is before us solely upon the defendant’s motion under G.S. 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6) of the Rules of Civil Procedure to dismiss for failure to state a claim. On 5 November 1982 the trial judge granted the motion to dismiss as to the third claim (for equitable distribution), and plaintiff appeals.
*356The motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) tests the sufficiency of the complaint to state a claim for relief. The scope of our review is to determine whether the third claim gives sufficient notice of the events upon which the claim is based so as to provide the basis for a response from the party sued, and whether the matter alleged contains enough subject matter so as to constitute the elements of some claim recognizable in law. If so, it is our duty to overturn the dismissal.
Under the general rules of pleadings, G.S. 1A-1, Rule 8(e)(2) of the Rules of Civil Procedure allows a party to “set forth two or more statements of a claim . . . alternatively . . . [and] in separate counts.” further, if an alternative statement of a claim, “made independently would be sufficient, the pleading is not made insufficient by the insufficiency of one or more of the alternative statements.” The Rule also sanctions the making of inconsistent claims.
It is North Carolina’s public policy that “an equitable distribution of property shall follow a decree of absolute divorce.” G.S. 50-21(a). That section also sets out the procedure for making application for the distribution. However, a resort to the equitable distribution law is not the only recognized way for married people to dispose of their marital property. An alternative is in G.S. 50-20(d):
Before, during or after marriage the parties may by written agreement, duly executed and acknowledged in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 52-10 and 52-10.1, or by a written agreement valid in the jurisdiction where executed, provide for distribution of the marital property in a manner deemed by the parties to be equitable and the agreement shall be binding on the parties.
Here at the pleadings stage [and before answer has been filed], we hold that the plaintiff has stated a claim for equitable distribution as an alternative claim for relief. However, we would envision that, considering the provisions of G.S. 50-20(d), the defendant might be entitled to a judgment on the pleadings after answer is filed, if he admits the validity of the separation agreements. The trial judge would have to find the facts required by section (d). Thereupon the claim for equitable distribution would be dismissed. In an alternative manner the issue of effect *357of the separation agreements could be resolved by summary judgment. We perceive that the status of the separation agreements in this particular case on these particular facts should be resolved before any court ordered discovery under the third claim in the complaint.
Reversed and remanded.
Judge Wells concurs.
Judge Phillips concurs in result.