The Grammy-nominated performer asked the court to terminate any request for spousal support, responding directly to Tomeka’s September petition, in which she also urged the court to deny support for him. The parallel requests indicate that both parties seek to safeguard their individual finances as they dissolve a marriage that has lasted nearly three decades.

In his filing, Akon also requested joint physical custody of the couple’s 17-year-old child. Tomeka is seeking joint legal custody but wants sole physical custody.

The competing proposals place the court in the position of determining how to divide parental rights and responsibilities in a long-term marriage involving a minor. The custody dispute is likely to become a central issue as proceedings advance.