5 Fascinating Facts About Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Divorce

The love story between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck has come to an end. The 55-year-old superstar officially filed for divorce from the 52-year-old actor on their second wedding anniversary. The divorce petition was filed on Tuesday, August 20, in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Notably, Lopez was the one who initiated the process.

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Though she filed on August 20, Lopez cited their separation date as April 26. This date was just a few days before she attended the MET Gala alone as a co-host. Speculations about their separation began in mid-May when no photographs of the couple surfaced for over 47 days. During her vacation with Emme, Ben was absent and had reportedly moved to another house, fueling more rumors. During this time, Lopez even canceled her world tour to “be with her family.”

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A significant date, August 20, also marks the couple’s two-year anniversary of their second wedding ceremony. Their first wedding took place in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022, with their children as witnesses. They then celebrated again on August 20 with friends and family at Affleck’s estate on Hampton Island. This property held sentimental value as Affleck bought it when he first got engaged to Lopez almost twenty years ago.

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According to TMZ and People, Lopez went to court alone and chose to represent herself, filing the documents “pro per,” meaning she didn’t involve a lawyer. This step highlights her decision to handle the separation process independently.

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Interestingly, Lopez and Affleck did not sign a prenuptial agreement. Reports indicate that Lopez, who legally changed her last name to Affleck, did not include any prenup details in her petition. Various sources confirmed to TMZ that no such agreement exists, possibly indicating that the couple believed their second chance at love would last.

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Moreover, Lopez has not requested spousal support and asked the judge to deny such support to Affleck as well. However, without a prenup, the earnings garnered during their two-year marriage belong to both. This lack of an agreement may result in a prolonged divorce battle over financial matters. TMZ mentioned that the couple has been attempting to reach an agreement for months, but discussions have become increasingly contentious.

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The court record states that either Lopez or her attorney must provide Affleck with a copy of the divorce petition. The report submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court also requires both parties to share their financial information, including incomes, expenses, properties, and current debts. Both are also mandated to disclose any changes in their finances until a final agreement is reached on all financial issues.

Lopez has a 60-day window to submit a financial statement, and then Affleck will have another 60 days to submit his. Failure to comply could lead to court sanctions.

Source: TMZ, People, Los Angeles Superior Court