Jessica Simpson and husband Eric Johnson are desperate to avoid divorce despite 'fractured' marriage

Jessica Simpson and her husband Eric Johnson are desperately trying to reignite their 'spark' after getting 'stuck in a lull period,' with neither party wanting to file for divorce to end their ten year marriage, insiders have claimed.

The actress, 44, fueled growing speculation that her relationship is on the rocks when she shared pictures without her wedding rings on Monday, and cryptically told fans her musical comeback will address how she has put up 'with everything I did not deserve.'

But despite reports that those close to Jessica have contacted divorce lawyers on her behalf in the last two months, insiders have told DailyMail.com that she is keen to avoid a split for the sake of their children, with the couple in agreement that if they don't make changes, their marriage will be over.

'Jessica's goals are to stay married and fix the relationship as it has become stale,' a source said.

'Eric has been an incredible father. He has been there for her in her sobriety journey and has been able to deal with all her ups and downs. He has been her rock.'

The singer, who recently celebrated being alcohol-free for seven years, wed the ex NFL star, 45, in 2014. They share daughters Maxwell, 12, and five-year-old Birdie Mae, and son Ace, 11.

They are desperate to make things work for the sake of their children and are not looking to make any 'rash decisions' over the holiday period.

'They have been going through a rough patch with each other,' the insider continued. 'But she wants it to work out for her kids and she still loves him, and he loves her.'

The source added: 'They are both aware that things need to change if they are to make it work.

'They are stuck in a lull period and are both trying to figure out what could spark things to bring it back and whether that is more counseling or something else. They don't want to make any rash decisions over the holidays.'

A second source reiterated that Jessica, who is worth an estimated $200million, wants to avoid a 'messy' divorce, but claimed the actress feels under appreciated in the marriage and isn't convinced it is salvagable.

'Jessica says her marriage has been a roller coaster for years and she does take accountability for the parts where she knows she messed up,' they said.

'He stuck by her through her alcoholism. But that was then. Her recent glow up has given her a new outlook on life and she feels Eric doesn't truly appreciate her.

'She isn't really present in the marriage, which is fractured, and she says that neither of them seems to care. They have tried counselling and such over the years.'

They continued: 'She is fearful of how messy their divorce could be. She has increased her net worth while married to Eric and he has played a large part in this.

'He was there for her every step of the way, working alongside her for many of her ventures.'

It comes amid reports that 'late last month' someone close to Jessica went to an LA divorce attorney, said the star was 'unhappy' in her marriage and said they wanted to arrange a meeting with the attorney and the Dukes of Hazard star.

Jessica did not make direct contact with the lawyer.

A member of Jessica's team also reportedly made contact with a different LA divorce lawyer - but there was no 'follow-through.'

The singer's most recent post on Instagram prompted desperate questions from fans who asked: 'Are you talking about your husband?'

'Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic,'she wrote.

'This comeback is personal, it's an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve.'

'Ohhh someone is NOT PLAYING anymore, girls!!! Take notes!!' wrote one fan.

Another said: 'I'm so sorry you went through what you did.'

In the snapshots, she wore a black coat and platform boots from her eponymous fashion line.

There have also been reports that the two are not even living together in their Hidden Hills, California mansion.

A source previously told Life & Style: 'Eric has had it with her crazy mood swings. And Jessica feels like their marriage has lost its romance. Everyone's wondering how long they can go on like this...

'Eric has been doing his own thing for longer than anyone seems to know. He's been very vocal about how difficult it is to live with someone so obsessed with surgery and so detached from reality most of the time.'

They were last pictured in June when they attended their daughter Birdie's graduation from kindergarten.

He hasn't appeared on her social media since April.

'Eric has been doing his own thing for longer than anyone seems to know,' Life & Style reported.

'He's been very vocal about how difficult it is to live with someone so obsessed with surgery and so detached from reality most of the time.'