Christina Haack and Josh Hall are Divorcing. Josh intro controversy for demanding this in divorce.

Christina Hall and her husband, Josh Hall, had been dealing with marital issues well before their separation was made public, a source exclusively tells PEOPLE.

The couple “had been struggling with problems in their marriage for quite some time” before Josh filed for divorce on Monday, the source revealed. Another insider close to Christina confirmed that she also intends to file.

Fans had been picking up on early signs of trouble in Christina and Josh Hall’s marriage well before the official divorce announcement.

Keen observers noticed that both had quietly removed their relationship status from social media profiles and deleted numerous photos of them together. Speculation and concerns began to mount, with the most significant rumors taking hold when Josh failed to publicly wish Christina a happy birthday on July 9.

This unusual silence, coupled with the other subtle social media changes, led many fans to suspect that the couple was heading for a split. Their instincts proved correct, as the divorce news broke just days later, confirming the suspicions that had been swirling online.

According to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE on July 16, Josh, 43, cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for seeking a dissolution of marriage, almost three years after they wed on October 6, 2021.

In his divorce filing, Josh is asking for spousal support from the HGTV star, who appears with him on her shows Christina on the Coast, Christina in the Country, and the upcoming series The Flip Off, which is set to debut in 2025.

The couple, who secretly wed in a private courthouse ceremony in 2021, celebrated their nuptials again with friends and family in Hawaii in September 2022.

Shortly after making their relationship public in July 2021, Christina described Josh as her “ride or die” in an Instagram post. She reiterated this sentiment in a heartfelt tribute in September 2023 for his 43rd birthday.

“Happy Birthday to my gorgeous husband,” she wrote on Instagram. “My ride or die, protector, and the best step daddy.”

The accompanying photo carousel showcased highlights of their relationship. One image captured them sharing a kiss on a beach at sunset, while another showed them enjoying a seafood tower with friends.

“I truly appreciate everything you do for me & the kids,” she added.

Christina was previously married to her former Flip or Flop co-star Tarek El Moussa and Celebrity IOU: Joyride host Ant Anstead. She shares Taylor, 13, and Brayden, 8, with El Moussa, 42. She and Anstead, 45, have a son, Hudson, 4.

Josh Hall into hot water for this reason

In light of the recent news about Josh Hall’s divorce filing, many fans of Christina Hall have expressed their disapproval, particularly regarding his request for spousal support. Social media platforms have been buzzing with comments from disappointed and frustrated followers.

One fan commented, “Josh needs to get a job instead of asking Christina for spousal support. She’s the one working hard on multiple shows and raising her kids. This is just unfair.”

Another supporter of Christina shared, “It’s ridiculous that he’s asking for spousal support. Christina has built her career and taken care of her family. Josh should be able to support himself.”

Some fans are even more vocal about their displeasure, with one saying, “What a shame! Josh wants to live off Christina’s hard work? He should be ashamed. Get a job and earn your own money.”

On various fan forums, discussions are rife with criticism of Josh’s demands. One user wrote, “Christina has been through so much, and now this? Josh should stand on his own two feet instead of trying to take advantage of her success.”

Others are questioning his intentions from the beginning, with comments like, “Makes you wonder if he was ever in it for the right reasons. Asking for spousal support just shows his true colors.”

Supporters of Christina have also pointed out the irony of the situation, considering Josh’s initial image as her “protector.” One fan noted, “He was supposed to be her protector, but now he’s the one trying to take from her. It’s sad and disappointing.”

While there are a few voices of sympathy for Josh, they are far outweighed by the overwhelming support for Christina and the belief that Josh should not be entitled to spousal support. The general sentiment among her fans is clear: Christina deserves to keep the fruits of her hard work, and Josh should find his own way to make a living

What will happen to their show?

In May, HGTV announced a new series called The Flip Off, set to premiere in 2025, where Christina and Josh Hall would compete against Tarek El Moussa and his wife, Heather El Moussa, 36.

This show marks the first time Tarek and Christina will work together since their long-running series Flip or Flop ended in March 2022 after nine years. Despite their divorce after a seven-year marriage, the exes continued to co-parent and film several seasons of Flip or Flop together.

The network has yet to comment on how Josh and Christina’s recent divorce might affect the upcoming show.