Protection of property

I filed a complaint for child custody, child support, postseparation support, equitable distribution and attorney fees on Jul 11, 2006. We have completed the child support and post separation support. Our year separation date will be Nov 30, 2006. I’m under the impression that he can file for divorce after Nov 31, 2006. Are all the things necessary for protecting myself for property distribution and alimoney in place at this time? What does it mean when it says that you can only obtain alimony and property distribution after a divorce if they are already pending? I have a pretrial conference - nature of hearing : initial pretrial/discovery ed conference set for 12/15/2006.