Miley Cyrus’ parents Billy Ray & Tish have filed for divorce

Singer Billy Ray Cyrus enjoyed a stroll with his wife Tish Cyrus and two of their dogs in Toluca Lake, California on June 8, 2010. Billy recently defended his starlight daughter Miley Cyrus for giving director Adam Shankman, a sexy lap dance at the wrap party for The Last Song. Fame Pictures, Inc

Billy Ray Cyrus and wife Tish have filed for divorce after 17 years of marriage.

The couple, who are the parents of Miley Cyrus, said in a joint statement to People magazine: “As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for our family,”

“We are trying to work through some personal matters. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.”

According to TMZ, Billy Ray is asking for “shared” custody of the couple’s 3 minor children and is also asking the court to “approve a parenting plan” to be signed by them both … and to make an “equitable distribution of the marital estate.”

Apparently Billy Ray chalked up the split to irreconcilable differences.