Family Law

Jon and Kate Plus 8: Reality of Divorce

By Erin Kelley

The “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ TLC show is now grappling with the reality of divorce. This real-life, high-profile family drama now depicts the reality of divorce, where average rates in America range between 40 and 50 percent.

Kate filed for a no fault divorce, or a “divorce with dignity” as known among divorce lawyers in Norristown, Pennsylvania on June 22 after 10 years of marriage stating that their union was irretrievably broken.

The flip side of the issue?the emotional drain of the Gosselin 8, a set of twins and sextuplets?will have to be dealt with by the television producers and legal advocates in terms of addressing the emotional strain experienced by the Gosselin 8 minors as their parents carry on with divorce proceedings.

This real life family drama offers a springboard for discussion for families facing divorce yet the emotional burden of the Gosselin 8 minors must be held in mind by TV producers and legal advocates. A judge may rule that the minor children be legally disallowed from appearing on the show. The television show is on hiatus for 4 weeks until August 3.

To minimize the tumultuous transition and as a noted cost-saving mechanism by Jennifer Smetters, a family law and divorce attorney in Chicago, the Gosselin 8 will remain in the house as one parent rotates in and out. This format eases the transition on the children as their parents configure their new relationship.

Attorney Smetters suggests that the rules of this approach should be outlined in a court order that can be enforced if one party deviates from the arrangement.

We will have to watch and see how this reality drama unfolds in the coming weeks as the Gosselin family navigates divorce in the spotlight. It is an opportune moment to discuss divorce within families and its effects on children as this one high-profile family navigates the situation.

Divorce can be difficult and scary for children, who often feel that the loving bond between splitting parents may somehow extend to their love for their children. Use this time to talk with your children and to separate the difference between spousal and child love.

Source: Wall Street Journal, Divorce Rate

Full post as published by The Divorce Blog on July 01, 2009 (boomark / email).