In Stafford v. Stafford, 133 N.C. App. 163, 515 S.E.2d 43 (1999), the defendant in a divorce action appealed from an order which determined the parties' separation date but left open the plaintiff's equitable distribution claim. Id. at 165, 515 S.E.2d at 45. On appeal, the defendant argued that the order affected a substantial right because determination of the parties' separation date was fundamental to the plaintiff's equitable distribution claim. Id. The Court dismissed the appeal holding that the order did not affect a substantial right or present a danger of inconsistent verdicts. Id.