Faith Evans has filed for divorce … TMZ has learned … but it was a long time coming.

Faith — who is married to record company exec Todd Russaw – filed legal docs in L.A. County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences.  Todd is also Faith’s manager.

The couple married in 1997 and has two minor children.  But according to the divorce petition, the couple separated in December, 2005.  The 2005 date is curious, because one of their children was born in 2007.

Faith is asking for joint legal and sole physical custody.  She wants Todd to have visitation rights.

Faith also wants the judge to reject any claim of spousal support.

Faith was married to [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Biggie Smalls[/lastfm] when he was shot and killed in 1997.

Source: http://www.tmz.com