547-C:10 Trial of Issues. –
Matters alleged in the petition may be denied or avoided by the petitionee by plea, and further proceedings may be had, and an issue of fact or of law made and tried, as upon a writ at common law or a bill in equity, and the court shall have full power to determine the respective interests of all the parties; or the petitionee may file a plea denying that the petitionee holds any part of the property with the petitioner, with a brief statement of matters in defense.