# Needing Help **URL:** \ **Category:** Divorce and Separation Answers\ **Created:** [January 20, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/needing-help/5510 "2008-01-20T22:45:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Helena\_Nevicosi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Helena\_Nevicosi](https://forum.rosen.com/u/Helena_Nevicosi)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/needing-help/5510/1 "2008-01-20T22:45:11Z")
You can file for separation once you have been separated for a year and a day. You do not have to have an attorney and you can find additional information regarding a pro se divorce on our website. You should be aware that if your divorce is finalized before you resolve your property and alimony issues you lose the right to petition the court to hear these issues and forever lose your right to alimony or equitable distribution. Helena M. Nevicosi Attorney with Rosen Law Firm 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500 Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 919.787.6668 main phone 919.787.6361 main fax Charlotte Office 301 McCullough Drive Suite 510 Charlotte, NC 28262 Main Phone: (704)307.4600 Main Fax: (704) 9343.0044 Durham & Chapel Hill Office 1829 East Franklin Street Building 600 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 321.0780 > **[North Carolina Divorce Law - Legal Answers and Info](https://www.rosen.com/)** > > The best resource for divorce in NC. Find accurate, legal, family law advice from attorneys practicing in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service only, a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. The information posted on this forum is available for public viewing and is not intended to create an attorney client relationship with any individual. These answers are provided for informational purposes only, a person should consult with their own individual legal counsel before taking any action that could affect their legal rights or obligations. ---
**Author:** ![shosciad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@shosciad](https://forum.rosen.com/u/shosciad)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2008, 8:15am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/needing-help/5510/2 "2008-01-19T08:15:10Z")
I am currently separated with my husband since March 23, 2007. For what I understand after a year of separation in NC I could or we could file for divorce. I have never dealt with anything like this before and I don’t know how to proceed to file for divorce mainly I can’t afford to hire an attorney to do all the work for me or hire one. I don’t even know if I could file without an attorney to represent me. I have all the grounds against my ex to file for this divorce and would also help me to continiously move on with my life. I just need some advice and help to make sure I get what I am entitled to since he pretty much did all the separation papers with his attorney. I am desperately needing for someone to advice me with all this to prevent him again of taking advantage of my rights. PLEASE ADVVICE!!! THANK YOU.