Kate Gosselin reportedly filed for divorce in Montgomery County and has alleged that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” and that she and Jon have lived separate and apart for a period of two years. While many people are confused as to why Kate would claim separation for two years, when supposedly she and Jon just split recently.

In Pennsylvania, if you file a divorce complaint and state that the marriage is irretrievably broken, you have two options to get the divorce finalized.

The first option is a mutual consent divorce where the parties can agree after 90 days that the marriage is broken and that they consent to the divorce.

The second option allows a person to get a divorce if two years have passed since the divorce was served on their spouse, even if their spouse doesn’t agree to the divorce. In that instance, the spouse has to take affirmative action to stop the divorce, otherwise the court will grant the divorce even if the other spouse has not voiced consent to the divorce.

The rumor that Jon and Kate will have a large estate to divide may make a two year divorce more likely since courts will generally not grant divorces unless all other issues have been addressed , including dividing the marital estate.

One thing that can be learned from the Jon and Kate divorce is that it is best to consult an attorney so you can make informed legal decisions.

Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC is Schuylkill County’s largest and oldest law firm, and numerous attorneys within the firm handle child custody, legal separations, and the treatment of the marital estate. Located in Pottsville, Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC can handle both simple and complex divorces and are willing to help you through any family law or domestic issues you may have. Our offices locations in Orwigsburg, Shenandoah, Pottsville, and Pine Grove allow us to reach out to all residents of Schuylkill County, as well as to those who live within the surrounding region.

Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC does not represent Jon Gosselin or Kate Gosselin in any legal matter either currently pending or previously pending. Any information provided is not meant to be specific to the Gosselin, Bucks County case, but only seeks to inform residents of Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania of the divorce options available to them and provided by the lawyers of Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC

Jon and Kate Gosselin, stars of the hit TLC show “Jon and Kate Plus 8”, and residents of Berks County, had reportedly filed for divorce in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

However, more recent information has become available which seems to indicate that the Jon and Kate divorce was filed in Montgomery County. Montgomery County is located southeast of Berks County and Schuylkill County.

The divorce, docketed by the Prothonotary of Montgomery County to number 2009-19084, was filed by Kate Gosselin. One of the reasons that the Gosselins (or Kate) may have decided to file for divorce in Montgomery County is that divorce records in that county are, for the most part, sealed. This means that the general public is denied access to filings and their contents. Reports indicate that the Associated Press has obtained a copy of the divorce, even though the record is sealed. Other counties, like the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, do not automatically seal divorces. The Honorable Judge Tilson of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas has been assigned to the Gosselin case.

A divorce may only be filed in the county in which the plaintiff or defendant resides, or the county in which the parties agree upon. In order to agree upon a county, a defendant and a plaintiff have to state their agreement in writing and attach that agreement to the complaint. Otherwise, participating in the process in the county selected will be enough to show agreement.

According to the court docket, Jon filed an Acceptance of Service through his attorney Charles Meyer. The Acceptance of Service means that Jon has received a copy of the divorce and has filed proof of receiving a copy with the court. Filing an acceptance of service paper does not mean that a defendant agrees to the divorce proceeding in a particular county. Parties filing outside of the county in which they reside may litigate the appropriate setting for the divorce, and the court will decided whether to keep the case or send it to a different Pennsylvania county court.

One thing that can be learned from the Jon and Kate divorce is that it is best to consult an attorney so you can make informed legal decisions.

Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC is Schuylkill County’s largest and oldest law firm, and numerous attorneys within the firm handle child custody, legal separations, and the treatment of the marital estate.

Located in Pottsville, Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC can handle both simple and complex divorces and are willing to help you through any family law or domestic issues you may have. Our offices locations in Orwigsburg, Shenandoah, Pottsville, and Pine Grove allow us to reach out to all residents of Schuylkill County, as well as to those who live within the surrounding region.

Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC does not represent Jon Gosselin or Kate Gosselin in any legal matter either currently pending or previously pending. Any information provided is not meant to be specific to the Gosselin, Bucks County case, but only seeks to inform residents of Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania of the divorce options available to them and provided by the lawyers of Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC

During a special one hour episode of “Jon and Kate Plus 8” that aired on June 22, 2009, Jon and Kate Gosselin both expressed concerns about looking out for their children and keeping their childrens’ best interests in mind. When a couple with children decides to file for divorce, it is not unusual for the divorce complaint to contain a count for custody of the children. Again, while the exact contents of the Jon and Kate divorce are unknown at this time, based upon the parties’ statements during the show, it seems that they may be working out a custody arrangement without the involvement of the courts. Kate Gosselin made reference to her belief that the home they had been living in, located in Berks County, was the childrens’ and that she and Jon planned to keep the kids in the house and move themselves in and out.

When a court makes a determination as to custody of children, the main consideration is the best interests of the child. This legal standard can be somewhat difficult to define, however, an a lawyer with experience handling child custody cases can provide guidance as to what facts a court will consider to determine best interests.

Berks County, located south of Schuylkill County, and approximately 30 miles south of Pottsville, has been the home of the Gosselin family for a number of months. Speculation exists as to the disposition of the home which may be one asset Jon and Kate Gosselin will have to address as part of the divorce, even though Kate Gosselin has stated that the home belongs to the children.

The sad tale of Jon and Kate Gosselin conveys the harsh truth that couples face when either one or both decide to divorce. In order to assure yourself that you are making the most informed legal decisions for you and your family it is best to seek the advice of an attorney. Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC is Schuylkill County’s largest and oldest law firm, and numerous attorneys within the firm handle child custody, legal separations, and the treatment of the marital estate.

Located in Pottsville, Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC can handle both simple and complex divorces and are willing to help you through any family law or domestic issues you may have. Our offices locations in Orwigsburg, Shenandoah, Pottsville, and Pine Grove allow us to reach out to all residents of Schuylkill County, as well as to those who live within the surrounding region.

Again, divorce is difficult, but having the right divorce lawyer willing to help you to protect your rights is of vital importance.

Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC does not represent Jon Gosselin or Kate Gosselin in any legal matter either currently pending or previously pending. Any information provided is not meant to be specific to the Gosselin, Bucks County case, but only seeks to inform residents of Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania of the divorce and custody options available to them, which are part of the legal services provided by the lawyers of Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC.

Jon and Kate Gosselin, stars of the hit TLC show “Jon and Kate Plus 8”, and residents of Berks County, Pennsylvania, have reportedly filed for divorce in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. During a special one hour episode of the popular television series, Jon and Kate publically announced their separation and intention to end their 10 year marriage.

While the exact contents of the Gosselin divorce complaint are at this time speculative, in Pennsylvania there are a number of different divorce options available to couples deciding to separate. Generally, while only one party, either Jon or Kate, will actually file for divorce, it is not uncommon for couples amicably deciding to divorce to seek a no fault, mutual consent divorce.

Pennsylvania law allows for fault and no fault divorces. In a fault divorce, one party claims that there is a reason that the marriage has failed. These reasons include, among other things, adultery, indignities, or malicious treatment. Taking this route usually means that the party making the allegation has to prove that claim in court before the court will grant the divorce.

For a no fault divorce, the party filing for divorce does not claim that their spouse did anything wrong. A mutual consent divorce is one type of no fault divorce available. In a mutual consent divorce, one party files for divorce claiming irretrievable breakdown the of the marriage. Also the party filing for divorce must plead in the divorce complaint that they have been advised that counseling is available and that they are aware of the right to request that the court order the parties to participate in counseling.

The spouse requesting a no fault, mutual consent divorce may also make a claim for equitable distribution of marital property. It has been claimed by various tabloids that in the Jon and Kate divorce they will try to divide a marital estate of nearly $10 Million dollars. While at this time such a claim is at best speculation, it is not usual to file for equitable distribution of marital property as part of a divorce complaint .

By asking the court to divide the property, parties are able to seek the assistance of the court if they are not able to come to a divorce settlement on their own.

The sad tale of Jon and Kate Gosselin’s seperate conveys the harsh truth that couples face when either one or both decide to divorce. In order to assure yourself that you are making the most informed legal decisions for you and your family it is best to seek the advice of an attorney.

Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC is Schuylkill County’s largest and oldest law firm, and numerous attorneys within the firm handle child custody, legal separations, and the treatment of the marital estate. Located in Pottsville, Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC can handle both simple and complex divorces and are willing to help you through any family law or domestic issues you may have. Our offices locations in Orwigsburg, Shenandoah, Pottsville, and Pine Grove allow us to reach out to all residents of Schuylkill County, as well as to those who live within the surrounding region.

Again, divorce is difficult, but having the right divorce lawyer willing to help you to protect your rights is of vital importance.

Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC does not represent Jon Gosselin or Kate Gosselin in any legal matter either currently pending or previously pending. Any information provided is not meant to be specific to the Gosselin, Bucks County case, but only seeks to inform residents of Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania of the divorce and custody options available to them, which are part of the legal services provided by the lawyers of Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC.