Chris Rock Divorce May Be Getting Nasty
Comedian accuses Malaak Compton-Rock of keeping kids away from him.
Dec. 31, 2014— -- Chris Rock's divorce from his wife of nearly 19 years, Malaak Compton-Rock, could get messy.
In his divorce filing with the Superior Court of New Jersey, the 49-year-old comedian claims that his soon-to-be ex-wife has kept their daughters, Lola, 12, and Zahra, 10, away from him.
According to the documents posted online by E! News, Rock states that "[Compton-Rock] has repeatedly refused to permit [Rock] normal and usual access to the children, and has acted in a manner detrimental to the children's best interests."
Compton-Rock, 45, contested Rock's claim in a statement to People magazine.
"Malaak is saddened and disappointed that Chris has accused her of keeping their children from him, which he knows is untrue and can be so easily disproved," her attorney David Aronson said in the statement. "We all know Chris leads a very busy public life while Malaak and their children definitely do not. She hopes the privacy of their children is still as important to Chris as it is to her and that it will be respected. They will always be the main focus of her life."
A rep for Rock did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
Rock, who is asking for joint and equal physical and legal custody, states in the divorce papers that he "is now and always has been a fully involved and participating parent in all aspects of the lives of these children."
He also says that the couple has been separated at least six months, though news of their split came Monday.
"Chris Rock has filed for divorce from his wife, Malaak," the "Top Five" star's lawyer, Robert Cohen, told ABC News. "This is a personal matter and Chris requests privacy as he and Malaak work through this process and focus on their family."
In his divorce papers filed on Dec. 23, Rock cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for divorce.
He also states that the couple had a premarital agreement put in place when they married in November, 1996, but that it has since expired due to a sunset provision.
Rock has requested equitable distribution of property, minus property that is exempt.
He adds that Compton-Rock "has the ability to work and contribute to her own support, as well as the support and other financial needs of the children."