Joey Lawrence Speaks Out About Co-Parenting with Ex-Wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson: 'We Put Our Children First'

PEOPLE confirmed on Aug. 20 that Lawrence's current wife Samantha Cope filed for divorce after two years of marriage

Joey Lawrence is looking back on his co-parenting experience with ex-wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson as he navigates his ongoing divorce from Samantha Cope.

On Aug. 13, Cope, 37, filed for divorce from Lawrence, 48, after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split, according to a file obtained by PEOPLE. On Thursday, Aug. 29, the actress shared a statement with PEOPLE after Lawrence claimed they had a "deeply troubled marriage" and his daughters Charleston, 18, and Liberty, 14 — both of whom he shares with Yawn-Nelson — were not "accepted by" Cope.

"As a mother who values her daughter above all else, I find these false accusations deeply troubling," Cope shared in the statement, referring to the former couple's daughter Dylan, 19 months. "I am confident that the truth is known to me, to Joey, and to God. I am choosing to put my focus on healing, caring for my daughter, and processing the loss of my marriage and my family."

As he prepares for potential co-parenting with Cope, Lawrence reflected on his previous relationship with Yawn-Nelson, and how the two managed to co-parent while staying "really good friends" on the Friday, Aug. 30 episode of his Brotherly Love Podcast.

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Related: Joey Lawrence Speaks Out About Divorce from Wife Samantha Cope and Melina Alves Affair Allegations

"We had a very good marriage and, to this day, we’re very good friends,” Joey shared with his brothers Matthew and Andy on their joint podcast. “We always put our children first. That’s a testament and I’m proud of that.”

He added, "I literally do everything I can for my family. I always have, and for my daughters especially. It’s the greatest honor that I have. I’ve been doing this 43 years, and despite the fact that I’ve been in the public eye for a long time, I’m actually a pretty private person.”

He continued to share that keeping Charleston and Liberty's lives out of the public eye is "what I feel is best [and] I’ve been able to let my two older daughters grow up, for the most part, not in the spotlight,” the Blossom actor said. “I’ve let them do their own thing and I’m so proud of them because of that.”

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Lawrence also shared that he wants Yawn-Nelson to be “truly happy” in her own life.

“I want her to be truly happy and I want to be happy,” he said. “We were able to make each other happy to a certain extent as we grew because we met when we were so young, but not ultimately. But, she’s a great lady and I’m proud of what we did together.”

Shortly after Lawrence and Cope's divorce news broke, a source close to the family told PEOPLE that Lawrence allegedly had an affair with Melina Alves, his costar on Socked in for Christmas. Another source claimed the two "had a working relationship and were partners on a couple things."

"He knew she was also going through a divorce," the source continued. "He was very empathetic to her situation as well and called her collateral damage when it comes to all this."

"With a deep sense of responsibility, I want to respond to the recent allegations surrounding my personal life, including my divorce and the claims of an affair with Melina Alves," Lawrence later shared in a statement on Instagram.

"Melina and I became close friends and I did not have a physical relationship with her while filming the movie 'Socked in for Christmas'. These rumors are false," he continued. "Our bond was based on shared experiences and an understanding of the challenges we were both facing in our personal lives."

Another source later told PEOPLE that Lawrence and Cope's separation helped improve the actor's relationship with his loved ones and mend his co-parenting relationship with Yawn-Nelson.

"Once they split, things got exponentially better between him and his ex wife and their girls," the source said of Lawrence. "Joey's strong and strong in his faith so he's trying to take it all in stride, but he is very disappointed and upset at how all of this has turned out."

As part of Cope's divorce filing, she has also requested to block the court's ability to award either side spousal support. Additionally, she is seeking full physical custody of their 19-month-old daughter Dylan while permitting Lawrence visitation at her discretion.

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