Inside Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope's relationship: Source says "troubles from the beginning"

Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope's relationship was far from a fairytale, according to a source close to the former couple.  Days after news of their divorce broke, the insider told PEOPLE that the couple had "troubles from the beginning."

Despite rumors of infidelity being a factor in the split, the source maintains that it wasn't the primary cause.  They reveal that Lawrence, 48, felt he had reached his limit defending his family to Cope, 37.  "He had gotten to a point where he had hit his limit with defending his kids, his mom and his family to Samantha," the source said.

The actor is also reportedly devastated by Cope's demand for full custody of their 19-month-old daughter Dylan.  "Joey loves his kids. He is a great dad and his daughters adore him," the source emphasized. "There's nothing he wouldn't do for those girls, and that includes Dylan too."

Lawrence, who has two daughters from a previous marriage, is reportedly focusing on reconnecting with his children and taking the time to "make up for all of the lost time." The source also mentioned that Lawrence is "relieved the marriage is over because he can breathe" and be himself again.

Representatives for both Lawrence and Cope declined to comment.

The couple's whirlwind romance began in 2021 on the set of Lifetime's "My Husband's Secret Brother", culminating in a wedding in May 2022.

  Cope recently broke her silence on the split via an Instagram post highlighting both happy and challenging times.