Katie Holmes' legal team will be "putting scientology at the very core" of her divorce battle against Tom Cruise, it has been reported.

Mike Paul, a prominent New York crisis manager known to help celebrities with their high-profile court cases, is convinced the actor's beliefs will come under scrutiny.

Like other reports have suggested, he believes Katie is pushing to win sole custody of the couple's daughter because she is concerned for six-year-old Suri's wellbeing as she grows up with the controversial religion.

"There is no way her advisers will not be putting Scientology at the very core of this divorce," Paul was quoted as saying by British newspaper The Daily Mail. "The only possible reason for Katie to push for this is that she fears for the emotional wellbeing of her daughter. Suri is at an age where she will be becoming more and more involved with the church and Katie clearly wants to make the break before her daughter is dragged into Scientology."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the church has denied Katie is being followed by their representatives, TMZ reports.

The star is reportedly concerned she is viewed as a threat to Scientology and fears she has been watched by members in the weeks leading up to the split.

"Gary Soter, lawyer for the Church, tells TMZ ... the Church of Scientology is not following Katie or conducting surveillance on her in the wake of her divorce with Tom Cruise," the site reports.

It has also been suggested that Katie has hired two top law firms to represent her in the divorce case.

A team of forensic accountants are already said to be examining Tom Cruise's complex estate of businesses and trusts in which his 180 million fortune is contained.

The team's aim is to establish the Rock of Ages star's exact wealth, suggesting his estranged wife may be trying to claim a higher settlement than the 10 million that she is likely to receive according to the couple's prenuptial agreement.

It has been widely reported that the contract awards the brunette beauty 2 million for each year of marriage to the Hollywood icon.