how do i keep my hope alive?

[trytryagain]

also, in terms of some legal advise for those of you in the know...

my parents suggested i talk to a friend of theirs who is a family lawyer. i haven't spoken to her yet, but my mom said that her friend (the lawyer) said that i should be the one to initiate any separation agreement. now, like i said, i haven't spoken to her yet so i don't know why that would be, but it seems like most of the posts on here have said that unless you're ready to throw in the towel, or you're trying to send your spouse a wake up call, that you shouldn't be doing or filing anything to help separation or divorce along. i guess i need to talk to their friend first and hear first hand what she has to say, but...

thoughts?

my H moved out 2 weeks ago. we verbally agreed on who would get what (we don't have much), but he hasn't asked me to sign any legal separation agreement. he seems to be wavering on what he wants to do right now anyway (regarding working on the M or not working on the M), so i feel like if i pressed him to sign papers, it would push him to not want to work on the M. but...i also want to protect myself.