Jennifer Lopez has officially filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, marking the end of their nearly two-year marriage. The filing, made on August 20 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, comes on the second anniversary of their more traditional wedding ceremony in Georgia, which seems to be a symbolic choice by Lopez. What makes this filing even more surprising is that Lopez filed the papers herself, without a lawyer, and listed their date of separation as April 26, 2024.
A significant twist in this high-profile divorce is the absence of a prenuptial agreement, meaning all earnings and profits made during their marriage could be considered community property. This includes the income from several projects both Affleck and Lopez were involved in during their marriage, such as Affleck’s films “Air” and “Hypnotic,” and Lopez’s projects like “Shotgun Wedding” and “The Mother.” Despite this, Lopez has waived spousal support and has requested that the judge deny Affleck any spousal support as well.
The couple’s separation has been fraught with tension, particularly regarding financial matters. While their marital home in Beverly Hills is up for sale, and Affleck has purchased his own house in Brentwood, Lopez is still looking for a new place to live. Sources indicate that discussions about their financial settlement have been ongoing but increasingly acrimonious, with the two often not speaking to each other.
Lopez’s decision to file for divorce now, despite unresolved financial disputes, may have been influenced by public relations considerations. In a no-fault divorce state like California, it doesn’t legally matter who files first, but the choice to do so can sometimes reflect strategic concerns. As the divorce proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how these financial matters will be resolved and how the couple will move forward separately.
