LOS ANGELES - British singer Seal filed his legal response to German supermodel wife Heidi Klum's divorce petition Tuesday, including claims which could set the couple against each other, TMZ reported.
The pair announced their split in January, and Klum filed for divorce in Los Angeles last week, citing "irreconcilable differences," referring to a post-nuptial deal and seeking primary physical custody of their four children.
But Seal's legal submission, published by the celebrity news website, makes no mention of a post-nuptial agreement, claims there are joint assets and seeks joint physical custody of their four children.
Klum, believed to be worth US$70 million (S$87.9 million) according to TMZ, said in her filing to the Los Angeles Superior Court that the date of separation was January 19, 2012.
Seal, estimated to be worth US$15 million, gives no date of separation in his court documents.
The couple vowed to be "civil" for the sake of the children when they announced their split in January, with Seal saying it was "difficult" but made easier because of their continued feelings for each other.
In her divorce papers, Klum asks for joint legal custody of their four children - two boys and two girls, aged 7, 6, 5 and 2 - but says she wants primary physical custody, with Seal getting visitation rights.
The papers were made in Klum's married name Heidi Samuel - Seal is listed by his name Henry Samuel - and the German model is asking to restore her maiden name, Klum, which she has always used professionally.
The couple married in 2005 and have three children together.
Seal, best known for hits such as "Kiss from a Rose" and "Crazy," also adopted Klum's daughter from a previous relationship with ex-Formula One boss Flavio Briatore.
They announced their split in a statement issued via Klum's German publicist, saying: "While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching we have decided to separate."
Seal echoed that in a television interview. Asked about a risk that their separation could turn nasty, he said: "We're just not those kind of people, we never really have been."
Klum, 38, and Seal, 49, were famous for renewing their vows every year on their wedding anniversary.
But the model raised eyebrows when she attended the Golden Globes awards ceremony in January without her husband.
