The beginning of Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope’s relationship was anything but smooth, according to a source.
Days after news of the former couple’s divorce broke, a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE that Lawrence, 48, and Cope, 37, “have had issues since the beginning of their relationship.”
Another insider recently told PEOPLE that Lawrence has begun a relationship with Melina Alves, a writer and actress in his upcoming film, For Christmasbut a source close to the couple claims that “infidelity is not the cause” of Lawrence and Cope’s split, “not even close.”
About Lawrence, they add: “He’s reached a point where he’s reached his limit defending his kids, his mom and his family from Samantha.”
Joey Lawrence’s estranged wife Samantha Cope breaks silence amid divorce: ‘Don’t be afraid of tears’
Joey Lawrence, Samantha Cope and their daughter Dylan.
Joey Lawrence/Instagram
The Melissa & Joey alum — who shares two daughters, Charleston, 18, and Liberty, 14, with ex-wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson — is also “irritated” by Cope’s decision to demand full physical custody of their 19-month-old daughter, Dylan, a source says.
Cope, 37, also asked to block the court’s ability to award spousal support to either party, and she wants to allow Lawrence discretionary visitation.
“Joey loves his children. He is a great dad and his daughters adore him – says the source. “There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for those girls, and that includes Dylan. He prides himself on being very involved with his family and always putting family first. He loves Dylan.”
“He is irritated because it will be difficult to parent Dylan with the demands Samantha has made,” they added.
“Joey is a man of integrity. He is a hard worker. He is a professional,” the insider continues about the actor.
Joey Lawrence’s Three Children: All About Daughters Charleston, Liberty and Dylan
The source also says Lawrence is “relieved the marriage is over because he can breathe.”
“He can be who you are,” they further explain. “He’s taking time to make up for all the lost time he spent with his kids.”
Representatives for both Lawrence and Cope did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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(L-R) Ricardo Chavez, Allison Elliott, Joey Lawrence and Melina Alves shoot ‘Socked in for Christmas’.
Melina Alves/ Instagram
Lawrence and Cope married in May 2022. They first met on the set of Lifetime’s My husband’s secret brother a year before.
On Saturday, August 24, Cope broke her silence on the split with a post on Instagram, highlighting the recent good times as well as some bad times.
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Source: HIS Education