Despite rumors, and comments made by Jon’s lawyer, it turns out the Gosselins didn’t have to wait until 2010 to finalize their divorce. Both the octoparents got their Christmas wish – a finalized divorce and freedom from each other. Just in time for the holidays.
Of course, freedom is relative. They both with have to continue (or start) to play nice when interacting around the children. So far, it sounds like most of the wrinkles have been ironed out when it comes to the details, but with them finishing up in such a rushed fashion, it won’t come as a surprise if we hear about more legal proceedings in the coming new year.
]]>Over the summer, as the divorce date loomed, things got a little messy between the octoparents. October came and went with no finalization in sight. The Gosselins have been in and out of court all fall, but not much has been decided when it comes to untying the knot.
Now it’s looking like they will have to wait until early 2010 to have their divorce finalized.
]]>The show’s ending could also give much needed closure to the Gosselin’s divorce.It seems the rowing couple has been able to put aside their differences and finally sit down to rationally discuss the future.
According to CBS News legal analyst Lisa Bloom, Jon Gosselin brought a dozen red roses to the weekend meeting with his estranged wife, Kate. But the gathering was all business. It was an arbitration hearing that moves them closer to divorce.
“It’s so sad it’s cut short. It’s too soon,” Kate Gosselin said about her reality series, not her marriage.
After meeting face-to-face for five hours this weekend, Jon and Kate have agreed on the fate of their eight. Kate gets primary custody of the kids. They’re hammering out how to split their assets, but neither wants alimony, according to published reports.
A source close to Kate tells People magazine “Kate is just relieved that a very painful chapter of her life is nearly over.” (CBS News)
There are new bombshell allegations that may cost Jon Gosselin his legal war with TLC AND custody of his beloved children, as well! Jon Gosselin’s day in court could end with him losing his children – due to a sex tape scandal and allegations of cocaine use!
Jon’s bodyguard Thomas Meinelt has been subpoenaed to testify in TLC’s lawsuit against Jon, and The ENQUIRER has learned Meinelt claims he saw Jon snort cocaine many times, and that he’s watched Jon’s secret sex tape! “Tom told me that Jon was secretly videotaped having sex with a woman in Los Angeles in October, and he’s seen the tape!” said Stephanie Santoro, Jon’s former flame and family nanny.
Tom said people close to Jon put a camera in his hotel room, and paid a girl to flirt with Jon and have sex with him. “He also told me that he saw Jon snort cocaine on more than one occasion, and that the more Jon got into partying, the more cocaine he used!” (Bossip)
Creditcards.com has 10 steps to follow to help keep the money matters civil with your spouse. Perhaps it couldn’t hurt for Jon and Kate to try some of these out.
1. Don’t blow a windfall
The Gosselins earned an estimated $2.25 milllion from their TLC network TV program, not counting proceeds from book sales, appearances and endorsements. However, like so many instant millionaires, they (Jon, perhaps, in particular) may be mismanaging their wealth. After announcing their divorce plans, he went on a spending spree; allegedly dropping $950 on a pair of shoes, leasing a $5,000 per month Manhattan apartment, buying luxury cars and taking lavish vacations. Yet with eight kids to support, necessisities can exhaust even a large net worth.
If you’re lucky enough to come into prosperity or get a job that pays far above the norm, continue to spend sensibly. Rather than take a perpetual paycheck for granted, assume your past earnings will need to stretch deep into the future. Heed this advice more during separation, as overspending accusations can become fodder for costly legal battles.
2. Don’t take your eyes off the cards
Kate was recently witnessed trying to pay for gas with a credit card, which was declined in front of frenzied paparazzi. What happened? Presuming it was a joint account, someone likely forgot to pay the bill, the balance was at or over the limit or the credit line was suspended. Another possibility, says Andy Jolls, founder of The VideoCreditScore.com, is if she and Jon were charging at multiple service stations in quick succession, the creditor suspected something was wrong, triggered a fraud alert and froze the card.
Whether or not you’re in the limelight, having plastic returned in this way can leave you red-faced and in a bind. Especially if you’re a joint cardholder, check the balance, payment history, and account status before charging.
3. Don’t overlook your budget
Minding money affairs must be rough with a television show, media appearances, affairs, and a brood of small children. Undoubtedly the Gosselins live convoluted lives, but throughout all this, they also needed to carefully and regularly supervise their budget. Their personal chaos interrupted this crucial task: Kate claimed she has just $1,000 in cash and can’t pay the bills.
Know how much you need for everyday expenses and plan for them. Disregard the basics at your peril, says Rob Jupille, president of RTJ Financial Management out of Santa Monica, Calif. “A short time of ignoring can result in long-term problems. We see credit card balances go up, missed payments, and increased interest rates. One late deposit can result in many bounced checks.”
]]>In fact, it seems like Jon and Kate are trying to hit every divorcing parent’s “do nots” in the guide to raising well-adjusted children. They’ve been petty to each other, had nasty fights, and most certainly dig at each other’s feelings every public chance they get. And with all the publicity this divorce has been getting, the kids will be able to relive this turbulent time just by Googling it.
ABC has an article talking about how divorced parents can minimize the trauma that having parents at odds with each other can induce on the kids. It’s a class focused on helping estranged parents focus on their children, instead of the divorced spouse. Perhaps Jon and Kate can take a stab at trying these simple rules. Their children would thank them.
]]>I gotta say, Jon did get the harder sentence. It was ruled that he violated the agreement stipulating that he wouldn’t be removing any money from their joint bank account. Now, as I understand it, he will be held in contempt if he doesn’t return $180,000 to the account by October 26th. So Jon’s got a week and a half to come up with 180 grand, most of which is spent by now, I’m sure. This could get interesting.
Kate has her homework to do as well. By the same deadline, she needs to come up with documentation showing what she has been spending the money on. No doubt bills and house payments will appear on that list. But it’s in the extravagant stuff that we’ll be interested. Will she report that wedding ring restyling, complete with 8 new diamonds? Well, that money had to come from somewhere, right?
Until October 26th!
]]>NY DAILY NEWS – Estranged reality stars Jon and Kate Gosselin were told to fix their financial issues – or else.
The “Jon & Kate Plus 8″ stars arrived separately Tuesday morning at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Penn., where Judge Arthur Tilson ordered the couple to immediately return the money that was withdrawn from their joint bank account, RadarOnline.com reports.
Dressed in a bright pink top and dark pantsuit, Kate Gosselin, 34, was silent when asked if she would provide account paperwork to prove that her estranged ex had left her with just $1,346 from the $231,000 they had in a shared bank account.
As a result of this claim, the octomom filed for child and spousal support.
However, Jon Gosselin, 32, has denied the withdrawals were ill-suited and has demanded that his wife give a reason for more than $60,000 in withdrawals of her own.
According to TMZ.com, Judge Tilson instructed the couple to stop doing television appearances and to keep their divorce “private and amicable” for the sake of their children. A court-appointed arbitrator has been hired to help them settle their differences.
He also said he realizes the Gosselins want their privacy, however their next court hearing on Oct. 26 will be public.
“We’re hopeful,” Jon’s lawyer, Mark Heller, told Entertainment Tonight after the hearing. “It’s all we can say right now. We’re very hopeful.” (NY Daily News)
]]>Our hearts go out to the judge’s family during this hard time in their lives.
]]>But who wants to watch a household activity so mundane we all avoid doing it ourselves (just look at my “dumping grounds”), when we can just tune in to any interview-based show and get the real action? The money he-said-she-said debate has no end in sight as of this moment. The Gosselins have a rumored 11 bank accounts squirreled away, so there seems to be a little confusion as to which one Jon has been pilfering. Now Jon is claiming to have irrefutable proof that the supposed $230,000 withdrawal never happened. He’s waving around more bank statements than there are signs at a health reform protest rally. All are going to prove he only took the pocket change sum of $22,000.
Given the Gosselins’ love for the camera, I’m sure we’ll continue hearing about this little drama as it unfolds. Kate, it’s your move.
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