Technically, North Carolina family law does not actually recognize “legal separation” as an alternative for divorce as it is applied in other states where couples can remain legally separated for extended periods of time. In the state, a legal separation precedes an absolute divorce. However, if a couple wishes to be legally separated, they can accomplish this with a formal separation order, which will include terms and conditions that cover virtually everything that a divorce order would entail, and after one year and one day, the separated couple could translate their separation order into a divorce order.