Reese Witherspoon files for divorce

Nov 9, 2006, 12:10 GMT

Reese Witherspoon has filed for divorce from Ryan Phillippe.

The Oscar-winning actress cited irreconcilable differences and has asked for joint custody of the couple's children - seven-year-old Ava and three-year-old Deacon - but is seeking physical custody with visitation rights granted to her husband.

Reese, 30, has also requested "exclusive use of the family residence" and asked that the court terminate its right to grant Ryan spousal support.

It is believed the couple did not sign a pre-nuptial agreement and under California Law Ryan is entitled to 50 per cent of all Reese's earnings during the marriage.

The 'Legally Blonde' actress now earns $20 million a movie while her husband only commands $2.5 million.

In 2005 alone Reese earned $30 million dollars for 'Just Like Heaven' and her Oscar-winning role in Johnny Cash biopic 'Walk The Line'.

Ryan has only appeared in two hit films in the last six years - 'Gosford Park' and 'Crash'.

The divorce papers state that separate property is yet to be determined.

Yesterday (08.11.06), Ryan, 32, spoke publicly for the first time about their split, insisting that his intentions were not cruel.

According to People magazine, he said: "I'm not a perfect person, but I'm not guilty of a lot of the things I have been accused of. My priority is and always has been the health and safety of my family."

His representatives deny accusations that the 'Cruel Intentions' star has indulged in hard partying and drug use.

But according to a source at a Santa Monica bar that Ryan used to frequent "they would fight over that kind of thing all the time. He got away with a lot and he knows it."

The couple - who met at Reese's 21st birthday party - were married for seven years.

It was alleged last week that the cause for the break-up Ryan's affair with Australian actress Abbie Cornish, his co-star in independent film 'Stop Loss'.

(C) BANG Media International