Finally leaving abuse!!! Divorce? Separation?

k

Hello ladies. I am in abusive marriage 8 years with 2 kids. Finally decided to leave and divorce. He agreed at first to divorce and gave me 30 days to move. I applied for an apartment and hopefully will get approved. We live in North Carolina, I know the law is to live 1 years separate then file for divorce. Can I file for divorce before that 1 year? Or do I need to make separation legal? Anyone from North Carolina? Or anyone knows how it works?