Joey Lawrence’s wife, Samantha Cope, filed for divorce on August 21, 2024, two months after their separation. Cope is seeking sole physical custody of their 19-month-old daughter, Dylan, while also stating that Lawrence can spend up to two nights per week with her after she turns 3. Cope has requested that the court not award spousal support to either party. In a recent update, Cope has amended her petition to ask for joint legal custody of their daughter, Dylan, while still seeking sole physical custody.
Lawrence and Cope met on the set of Lifetime’s My Husband’s Secret Brother and got engaged in August 2021, with Lawrence expressing excitement for their future together. They married in May 2022 and announced they were expecting their first child a few months later. Lawrence also has two daughters from his previous marriage to Chandie Yawn-Nelson. Lawrence and Cope welcomed their daughter, Dylan Rose Lawrence, in January 2023, sharing their joy and gratitude through a joint Instagram post.
Despite his multiple marriages, Lawrence describes himself as a “hopeless romantic” and emphasizes the importance of being with the right person in order to find happiness. Cope’s divorce petition is now seeking joint legal custody of their daughter, while still requesting sole physical custody. She has also asked the court not to award alimony to either party and claims there is no communal property to divide between them. The couple had been together for several years before their sudden split, and their divorce proceedings continue to unfold. Lawrence and Cope have not made any public comments regarding the reasons for their divorce.
Lawrence and Cope’s relationship began during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Lawrence referring to meeting her as “the greatest thing ever.” Despite their separation, it is evident that the couple remains committed to co-parenting their daughter and navigating their divorce amicably. Lawrence, who also has a successful acting career, has not publicly commented on the divorce or shared any personal details about the situation. Cope’s decision to amend her divorce petition indicates a willingness to address co-parenting and custody arrangements with Lawrence moving forward. Their journey as a couple, parents, and now co-parents continues to evolve as they navigate the complexities of divorce.
