(Exclusive) Jessica Simpson’s Husband Eric Johnson Spotted Without Ring as Source Says They’re Living ‘Separate Lives’…see more

Jessica Simpson’s husband Eric Johnson has been spotted without his ring as a source tells PEOPLE the pair has been spending time apart.

Johnson, 45, was photographed walking in Los Angeles sans wedding band on Tuesday, Nov. 12 amid rumors of a rift in his marriage to Simpson, 44, who’s preparing to release new music about 16 years after her last original studio album.

“She’s working on music and splits her time between Los Angeles and Nashville. Eric spends all of his time in L.A., where the kids go to school,” the source tells PEOPLE. “Jess and Eric very much live separate lives.”

Over the last several weeks, speculation about the state of their relationship grew after fans noticed Jessica hasn’t been wearing her wedding ring for many months. “Eric turned 44 on Sept 15 and his family gave him all the love cells we have to celebrate his life.

My heart is so taken with this Man, I could hardly call it my own…. We love youuuu,” she wrote. “(he ain’t an Instagram guy, but I always think the more good wishes the better 😜)”