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

The two met in while filming Lifetime's 'My Husband's Secret Brother' in 2021

The start of Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope's relationship was anything but smooth, according to a source.

Days after news of the former pair's divorce was made public, a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE that Lawrence, 48, and Cope, 37, "had troubles from the beginning of their relationship."

Another insider recently told PEOPLE that Lawrence struck up a relationship with Melina Alves, a writer and costar on his upcoming film, Socked in for Christmas, but the source close to the couple maintains, however, that “infidelity isn't the cause" for Lawrence and Cope's split, "not by a long shot."

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."

Related: Joey Lawrence's Estranged Wife Samantha Cope Breaks Silence amid Divorce: 'Don't Be Afraid of the Tears'

The Melissa & Joey alum — who shares two daughters, Charleston, 18, and Liberty, 14, with ex-wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson — is also “torn up” by Cope's decision to demand full physical custody of their 19-month-old daughter Dylan, the source says.

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.

Related: Joey Lawrence's 3 Kids: All About Daughters Charleston, Liberty and Dylan

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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Lawrence and Cope tied the knot in May 2022. They first met while filming Lifetime's My Husband's Secret Brother a year prior.

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

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