"7th Heaven" actor Stephen Collins' divorce trial begins

A trial to end the nearly three-decade marriage between veteran television actor Stephen Collins and his wife is scheduled to begin Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Collins' wife, Faye Grant, has accused her estranged husband in court filings of molesting underage girls. The actor lost roles after the celebrity website TMZ posted audio in which Collins purportedly admits he molested three girls. Court filings state the recording was made by Grant during a 2012 therapy session, but its contents have not been authenticated by The Associated Press.

The trial will focus on how to divide the couple's assets. Collins' lawyer cited damage to his client's career and is asking a judge to eliminate all future spousal support payments.

Grant is seeking $13,000 a month in spousal support.

Collins was married to his first wife, Marjorie Weinman, from 1970-1978. Grant and Collins married in 1985 and have one daughter together, born in 1989. Collins filed for divorce from Grant on May 7, 2012.

"My wife and I are moving forward separately in our lives," he said in a statement at the time. "She has been my dearest friend and a loving mother. I know that we'll go through this process in a way that honors our family."

Aside from the long-running series "7th Heaven," Collins has appeared in the TV series "Revolution," "Sisters," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." On the big screen, he's appeared in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," "All the President's Men" and "Blood Diamond."