The divorce and child custody battle between the Real Housewives of Orange County's Shannon Beador and her estranged husband of 17 years, David, just got uglier.

The reality star - turning 54 next week - filed for divorce from the 53-year-old businessman December 1 and requested primary custody of their daughters Sophie, 15; and twins Adeline & Stella, 13.

'I am requesting [Orange County Superior Court] enter an order providing for joint legal custody and award me 50 percent physical custody of the children. Such orders would serve the children's best interests,' David said in his legal documents filed Friday - according to People.

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Legal war: The divorce and child custody battle between the Real Housewives of Orange County's Shannon Beador and her estranged husband of 17 years, David, just got uglier (pictured in 2016)

'While the children (Stella and Adeline) have resided with Shannon, since separation, the children, on several occasions have refused to talk or see me. This behavior has been tolerated in Shannon's home and is not in the best interests of the children. I have requested they spend nights with me however they have expressed concerns for their mother in this event.'

The Beador Construction Inc. CEO added: 'Shannon is not fostering or encouraging a healthy father-child relationship.'

David claimed his $175K annual salary is less than Shannon's $500K-$600K annual salary, so she doesn't need spousal support or attorney fees from him.

He stated: 'I have paid Shannon's attorneys fees and costs that I am aware of to date as she was not working under her new employment contract. She has now presumably signed that contract and is getting her salary paid monthly.'

Taking her side: The reality star - turning 54 next week - filed for divorce from the 53-year-old businessman December 1 and requested primary custody of their daughters Sophie, 15; and twins Adeline & Stella, 13 (pictured July 25)

David - who's requesting 50/50 custody - said in his legal documents: 'While the children (Stella and Adeline) have resided with Shannon, since separation, the children, on several occasions have refused to talk or see me' (pictured February 23)

The Beador Construction Inc. CEO added: 'Shannon is not fostering or encouraging a healthy father-child relationship' (pictured in 2016)

'I have paid Shannon's attorneys fees': David claimed his $175K annual salary is less than Shannon's $500K-$600K annual salary, so she doesn't need spousal support or attorney fees from him (pictured in 2014)

Shannon - who boasts 1.4M followers - posted a quote on Monday: 'It's not the strongest that survive, nor the smartest, but the one most responsive to change.'

Before their October legal separation, Beador admitted to being unfaithful in 2015, and he went public with his new girlfriend mother-of-two Lesley Cook in February.

Thus far, Shannon and Kelly Dodd are the only confirmed housewives returning for season 13 with Peggy Sulahian, Lydia McLaughlin, and Meghan King Edmonds exiting.

Shannon - who boasts 1.4M followers - posted a quote on Monday: 'It's not the strongest that survive, nor the smartest, but the one most responsive to change'

Valentine's Day: Before their October legal separation, Beador admitted to being unfaithful in 2015, and he's since went public with his new girlfriend mother-of-two Lesley Cook