Nick Lachey Could Seek Support

By Julie Jordan

UPDATED 02/18/2006 at 07:30 PM EST • Originally published 02/17/2006 at 09:40 PM EST

Nick Lachey filed papers in L.A. Superior Court on Friday reserving the right to seek spousal support from soon-to-be ex-wife Jessica Simpson, PEOPLE has learned. In her Dec. 16 divorce filing, Simpson, 25, had petitioned that Lachey, 32, not receive alimony.

According to his divorce response, Lachey cited irreconcilable differences for the dissolution of the marriage. Also, he asked the court to confirm that "miscellaneous jewelry and other personal effects" remain separate property, as well his earnings after the date of separation and additional property assets to be determined.

In his filing, Lachey reports the couple's separation date as Dec. 13 while Simpson cited it was Nov. 23 in her divorce papers. The discrepancy in the dates is particularly relevant because of the nearly $1 million Simpson earned during those weeks that she'd have to split with her former husband under California law.

The couple, who married in 2002, sold their $3.75 million Calabasas, Calif., home to Malcolm in the Middle actor Justin Berfield last month. Simpson has since purchased a $3 million Beverly Hills home. "She's happy to have a home that's hers," a source close to the pop star told PEOPLE. "This is the first time she's making her own decisions."

In a Feb. 7 radio interview with Ryan Seacrest, Lachey said, "The hardest part of this breakup is the media coverage."