Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope had “problems” from the beginning of their relationship (source)

The beginning of the relationship between Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope was anything but smooth, according to a source.

A few days after the former couple's divorce became public, a source close to the couple told PEOPLE that Lawrence, 48, and Cope, 37, “had issues from the beginning of their relationship.”

Another insider recently told PEOPLE that Lawrence has started a relationship with Melina Alves, a writer and co-star of his upcoming film. Wrapped up for ChristmasHowever, the source close to the couple insists that “infidelity is not the reason” for Lawrence and Cope's split, “not by a long shot”.

They add of Lawrence: “He had reached a point where he had reached his limits when he had to defend his children, his mother and his family against Samantha.”

The Melissa and Joey The former alum, who has two daughters, Charleston, 18, and Liberty, 14, with ex-wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson, is also “bummed” over Cope's decision to demand sole custody of their 19-month-old daughter Dylan, according to the source.

Cope, 37, has also requested that the court be barred from awarding spousal support to either party and wants to grant Lawrence visitation rights at her own discretion.

“Joey loves his kids. He's a great father and his daughters adore him,” the source says. “There's nothing he wouldn't do for those girls and that goes for Dylan too. He prides himself on being very family-committed and always putting family first. He loves Dylan.”

“He is devastated because he knows it will be difficult to raise Dylan with Samantha's demands,” they add.

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

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

“He can be himself,” they explain. “He takes the time to make up for all the lost time he had with his children.”

Representatives for Lawrence and Cope did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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Lawrence and Cope married in May 2022. They first met while filming Lifetime’s My husband's secret brother a year earlier.

On Saturday, August 24, Cope broke her silence on the split with an Instagram post highlighting the good times of recent times, but also some low points.