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.

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