Joey Lawrence, Samantha Cope 'Had Troubles from the Beginning' of Relationship, Source Says (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope.Photo:Samantha Cope /Instagram

Samantha Cope /Instagram

The start ofJoey LawrenceandSamantha Cope’s relationship was anything but smooth, according to a source.

Days afternews of the former pair’s divorcewas made public, a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE that Lawrence, 48, and Cope, 37, “had troubles from the beginning of their relationship.”

They add of Lawrence, “He had gotten to a point where he had hit his limit with defending his kids, his mom and his family to Samantha."

Joey Lawrence, Samantha Cope and their daughter Dylan.Joey Lawrence/Instagram

Joey Lawrence/Instagram

Cope, 37, has also requested to block the court’s ability to award either side spousal support, and she wants to permit Lawrence with visitation at her discretion.

“Joey loves his kids. He is a great dad and his daughters adore him,” the source says. “There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for those girls, and that includes Dylan too. He prides himself on being very involved with family and putting family first always. He loves Dylan.”

“He’s torn up that it’s going to be difficult to co-parent Dylan with the demands Samantha has made,” they add.

“Joey is a man of integrity. He is a hard worker. He is a professional,” the insider continues of the actor.

The source also says that Lawrence is “relieved the marriage is over because he can breathe.”

“He can be himself,” they further explain. “He’s taking the time to make up for all of the lost time that he had with his children.”

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 film ‘Socked in for Christmas’.Melina Alves/ Instagram

Melina Alves/ Instagram

Lawrence and Copetied the knot in May 2022. They first met while filming Lifetime’sMy Husband’s Secret Brothera year prior.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, Cope broke her silence on the split through anInstagram post, in which she highlighted recent good times, as well as some low moments.

source: people.com