Jon Gosselin Sues 'Absentee' Kate For Primary Custody

Turns out there's quite a bit Chicagoans can learn about divorce and child custody just by reading the gossip columns. People Magazine reported on the latest chapter in the high-profile battle between estranged couple Jon & Kate Plus 8 stars Jon and Kate Gosselin.

Now Mr. Gosselin is suing his ex-wife to get primary custody of their eight children, claiming she doesn't spend enough quality time with them. His attorney pointed to Ms. Gosselin's gig on ABC's Dancing With the Stars to support his point.

Just how exactly does one parent spend enough time with eight young children anyway? It seems like an impossible task, although a full-time commitment is probably advised.

Mr. Gosselin's attorney told reporters he believes his client is "much better able" to give them the time they deserve:

"He wants equal say with custody, equal time, but if the circumstances remain as they are, with Kate being rarely home, Jon wants primary custody of the children."

Mr. Gosselin seeks primary custody, meaning they would spend most of their time with him, and also is seeking to reverse the $21,000-per-month child support arrangement.

Ms. Gosselin's attorney told People that he has yet to receive a formal filing and insists that his client "is a devoted mother who loves her children very much." Ms. Gosselin is poised to release her new book, I Just Want You To Know: Letters to My Kids on Love, Faith and Family tomorrow.

An unnamed source close to the book's publisher had this to say:

"It's almost as if he deliberately timed this to sabotage her efforts to promote the book."

Whichever side you believe, it seems like the kids have the largest stake in this ugly dispute. FindLaw provides information about how family courts typically determine who the children's "primary caretaker" is.

If you have questions that relate to child custody, speaking with an Illinois family lawyer may be helpful. For more information, please visit our Related Resources links.

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