Trace Adkins and his wife of 16 years, Rhonda Forlaw Adkins, have released a written statement about their divorce.

"Trace and Rhonda are united in ensuring that their children's interests come first," they said in a statement issued by the singer's publicist. "They thank everyone for respecting their privacy as they work through this personal matter together."

Rhonda Adkins filed the divorce papers Tuesday (March 26) in a court near Nashville. She cited "irreconcilable differences" and is seeking primary custody of the couple's three children, as well as child support, alimony and legal fees.

Married May 11, 1997, at Nashville's Belle Meade Mansion, the couple resided in Brentwood, a suburb of Nashville.

The singer entered an alcohol treatment facility in Florida on Jan. 15 following a verbal altercation with a celebrity impersonator on a country music-themed cruise in the Caribbean.

However, he was allowed to leave the rehab center to visit his ailing father in Louisiana. Adkins' father died in February. After the funeral, Adkins returned to the facility to complete treatment, according to The Tennessean, Nashville's daily newspaper.

Adkins sang with the band Exile on the Grand Ole Opry on March 11, marking his first public performance since leaving rehab. He was inducted into the Opry in 2003.

After releasing "There's a Girl in Texas" as his debut single in 1996, Adkins scored several Top 10 hits, including No. 1 singles such as "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "Ladies Love Country Boys" and "You're Gonna Miss This." He and Blake Shelton topped the chart in 2009 with "Hillbilly Bone." His other hits include "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," "Songs About Me," "Hot Mama" and "The Rest of Mine."

According to his website, Adkins is scheduled to resume touring in June.