If, at the hearing, it appears that the intervention of commissioners is unnecessary to secure an equal partition in kind, or that the same can be effected by providing owelty, and that it would best promote the interest of the parties, the circuit court may order the partition and fix the amount to be paid by one or several cotenants to another or others; or this may be done on hearing the report of the commissioners.
Ala. Code § 35-6-24 (1975)