Associated Press — Roy E. Disney filed for divorce from his wife, Patricia, on Friday, citing irreconcilable differences, according to court documents.

The Burbank couple, who have been married 52 years, have been living apart for an unspecified amount of time, according to the Los Angeles County Superior Court filing.

“This has been in the works for a long time. They’ve just decided to move forward with their lives,” said Clifford A. Miller, managing director of Shamrock Holdings Inc., the Disney family’s investment company.

Roy, 77, and Patricia, 72, have four adult children.

The couple agreed to treat the divorce as a collaborative law case, which means each will try to cooperate to reach a settlement out of court, according to the divorce papers.

“It will be privately and collaboratively worked out, and it will never go to court,” said Forrest S. Mosten, Roy Disney’s attorney.

Mosten declined to discuss any facts in the case.

Disney is nephew of Walt Disney and one of The Walt Disney Co.’s major shareholders.

After discussing the collapse of “Little Roy’s” marriage, Berg and Uncle Walt share a good ol’ Annette story.