Mel Gibson Responds to Wife's Divorce Petition

Mel Gibson has filed a response to the divorce petition filed earlier by his estranged wife Robyn.

The actor filed papers Monday that declare the couple's date of separation as August 26, 2006 and he also cites "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split.

In the papers, Gibson is asking to terminate the court's ability to award spousal support to either party, and he is seeking joint legal and joint physical custody of the couple's children.

After 28 years of marriage, the star's wife filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the separation from the actor.  She also seeks joint physical and legal custody of their youngest son Thomas, who turns 10 tomorrow.

According to a statement from Mel's rep released on the actor's behalf, "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so."

A source tells ET the couple has been separated for nearly three years. Mel and Robyn have 7 children: Hannah, twins Edward and Christian, William, Louis, Milo and Thomas, who is the only minor.