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Simpson files for divorce from Lachey

‘Irreconcilable differences’ cited in end of three-year marriage

LACHEY, SIMPSON
Kimberly White / Reuters file
Jessica Simpson asked a Los Angeles court to have her last name restored and to have husband Nick Lachey's spousal rights terminated.
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Access Hollywood
updated 8:46 p.m. ET Dec. 16, 2005

Jessica Simpson has filed for divorce from Nick Lachey, officially ending the couple’s three-year marriage, Access Hollywood has learned.

Jessica filed the papers in Los Angeles on Friday, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

Access has learned that Jessica has asked the court to have her last name legally restored, and has also requested the court terminate Nick’s spousal rights, meaning the court would not be able to award Nick any spousal support.

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The couple jointly announced their separation on November 23 in a statement issued to Us Weekly through their publicists.

“After three years of marriage, and careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways. This is the mutual decision of two people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other. We hope that you respect our privacy during this difficult time,” the statement read.

Us Weekly first reported the couple’s split in its October 17 issue; at that time, Lachey’s publicist issued a denial of an official separation.

Shortly after the split, each side was telling a different story about why Jessica and Nick broke up.

Simpson’s camp told People magazine that she was fed up with her husband’s partying.

They said the last straw came during an argument the day before Thanksgiving. Lachey’s people said that Simpson surprised him in the car after they had dinner with friends.

They said Simpson shocked Lachey by demanding a divorce out of the blue.

Lachey reportedly asked “Isn’t this worth fixing?” And she reportedly answered “no.”

Nick and Jess wed in Austin, Texas in October 2002 in front of 250 guests.

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