I want to get an absolute divorce, and I need to find a lawyer that's not expensive. I've been separated for ten years. I live in MD, he's in NC

Most attorneys are pretty reasonable when it comes to the legal fees for an uncontested divorce with no issues.  When you ass other issues to the divorce child support, child custody, alimony, post-separation support or equitable distribution, the legal fees start to go much higher.  You should contact a few law firms in or near the county in which he resides to discuss your issues and get a quote for the legal fees to address your specific matter.