Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck – Documents Reveal 4 Major Twists

On Aug 23, 2024 0

The Hollywood power couple’s marriage has taken a dramatic turn as one partner files for divorce without an attorney.

Jennifer “JLo” Lopez has officially filed for divorce from Ben Affleck after more than two years of marriage. She submitted the paperwork to the Los Angeles County Superior Court on a symbolic date—exactly two years after their second grand wedding ceremony.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were seen walking a bit apart from each other in New York City on March 29, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

According to TMZ, the couple’s separation date is listed as April 26, 2024, and further details offer a fresh perspective on their unexpected split.

JLo’s Divorce Filing Comes on the Anniversary of Their Georgia Wedding

JLo reportedly filed for divorce on August 20, the same day as their Georgia wedding anniversary, adding a bittersweet note to their split. The couple rekindled their romance in 2021 and got engaged in April 2022.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the “Marry Me” screening in Los Angeles on February 8, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

After getting engaged, they had a surprise Las Vegas wedding on July 16, 2022. A month later, they celebrated with a larger ceremony at Ben’s Georgia estate. In her On the JLo newsletter, JLo described the day as “full-circle” and “better” than expected.

The ceremony was personal, with the couple walking down the aisle to “True Companion” by Marc Cohn. JLo wore three custom wedding dresses: a turtleneck gown, a mermaid silhouette, and a chandelier pearl gown, which she called “dreamy.”

JLo Filed the Divorce Documents Herself

In a surprising move, JLo filed the divorce documents without a lawyer. This approach, known as filing “pro per,” suggests she wants to handle the process independently. She also waived her right to spousal support and asked that the court deny Ben any support as well.

Jennifer Lopez at Paris Fashion Week on June 24, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez Have No Prenuptial Agreement

TMZ also reported that the divorce documents show JLo and Ben did not have a prenuptial agreement. Despite their previous marriages and significant wealth, they didn’t protect their finances.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in New York City on September 26, 2021 | Source: Getty Images

As a result, any earnings or profits made during the couple’s nearly two years of marriage will be treated as community property. A legal source has clarified this matter.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Celebration in Los Angeles on December 5, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Marilyn Chinitz, a divorce lawyer at Blank Rome LLP, commented that JLo’s decision to proceed with the divorce, even without legal representation, sends a clear message of determination, calling it her “real statement” of moving forward.

Jennifer Lopez walks ahead while Ben Affleck follows in Los Angeles, California, on March 11, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

She also stated that it would be “extremely unusual” for the couple not to have a prenuptial agreement. The only time that you see people not having a prenup is when they’ve put most of their assets in trust for their children, and those trusts have been established and they wouldn’t be part of the community [property],” Chinitz explained.

Emme Maribel Muñiz, Ben Affleck, and Jennifer Lopez in Los Angeles on May 20, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Bennifer Are Still Hashing Out the Sale of Their Marital Home

Although JLo has filed for divorce, their financial settlement remains unresolved. The couple’s Beverly Hills home is on the market, but negotiations have reportedly become tense. JLo and Ben are searching for new homes, signaling the end of their shared life together.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in Los Angeles on April 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

JLo and Ben first became a media sensation in the early 2000s when their relationship, known as “Bennifer,” grabbed headlines. They got engaged and starred together in “Gigli” (2003) and “Jersey Girl” (2004), but their romance ended before “Jersey Girl” was released.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the “Daredevil” premiere in Los Angeles on February 9, 2003 | Source: Getty Images

Over the next 20 years, both married other people—JLo with Marc Anthony and Ben with Jennifer Garner—but they reunited three years ago. Since then, they often appeared together at public events, promoting each other’s projects. Ben even appeared in JLo’s Amazon Prime Video special, “This Is Me … Now: A Love Story.”

JLo’s latest album, “This Is Me … Now,” revisits themes from her 2002 album, “This Is Me … Then,” which was inspired by her first relationship with Ben Fans followed their love story through JLo’s social media and newsletter updates.

However, in May, JLo unexpectedly canceled her summer tour, saying she needed time with her family—a decision that hinted at the couple’s split and eventual divorce.

JLo and Ben’s divorce comes after the pop singer grabbed attention by attending a Bruno Mars concert in Los Angeles on Ben’s birthday on August 15. This sparked online debate about whether she was masking her true feelings amid the the couple’s marital woes.

A netizen’s remark on Jennifer Lopez attending a concert, posted in August 2024 | Source: Instagram/itstetrisbish

A video shared on Instagram by artist Tetris showed JLo, dressed in a white sleeveless top and jeans, dancing energetically—swaying her head and raising her hands as she moved her body from left to right—to the song “Marry You.”

Jennifer Lopez holds her head high as she dances along to Bruno Mars’ song “Marry You” at his concert in Los Angeles, California, posted in August 2024 | Source: Instagram/itstetrisbish

Jennifer Lopez dances with her hand up to the song “Marry You” at Bruno Mars’s concert in Los Angeles, California, posted in August 2024 | Source: Instagram/itstetrisbish

Jennifer Lopez sings and dances to the song “Marry You” at Bruno Mars’s concert in Los Angeles, California, in August 2024 | Source: Instagram/itstetrisbish

Although JLo appeared to be enjoying herself, the clip quickly attracted attention, with netizens questioning the authenticity of her emotional state. A user observed that she was “Trying too hard to look happy.”

Jennifer Lopez closes her eyes as she listens to “Marry You” at Bruno Mars’s concert in Los Angeles, California, in August 2024 | Source: Instagram/itstetrisbish

Another critic pointed out, “She knew that she will be videotaped. This is too hard seeking attention, even for JLo [sic],” while another added, “55 acting like she’s 25. ”

Someone else speculated that JLo’s behavior might have contributed to her and Ben’s marital woes, “Calm down Jen. It doesn’t always have to be a show… That may be the reason for your relationship demise .” Not everyone was critical, though.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in New York City on March 30, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Some fans defended JLo, saying she was just enjoying her single life. One fan noted that she looked like anyone else who loves music and suggested that Ben not being musically inclined, might not have enjoyed attending concerts with her.

Jennifer Lopez places her hand on her forehead at her “Brave” album release party in New York City on October 8, 2007 | Source: Getty Images

Supporters encouraged JLo to live life on her own terms, expressing happiness that she was enjoying herself. One fan urged her to “be happy” with or without Ben, while another praised her for dancing and having fun.

Jennifer Lopez as a guest for a dance battle on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on March 1, 2017. | Source: Getty Images

Another fan celebrated JLo’s happiness, stating that life goes on and that she has plenty to celebrate without being defined by a man.

A netizen’s comment on Jennifer Lopez attending a Bruno Mars concert, posted in August 2024 | Source: Instagram/entertainmenttonight

JLo further fueled the online conversation by sharing photos and videos from the concert on her Twitter account. In one post, she posed with two companions, wearing large sunglasses and flashy jewelry, including a necklace with her name as a pendant.

Jennifer Lopez enjoying Bruno Mars’ concert in Los Angeles, California, posted on August 17, 2024 |Source: x.com/JLo

Jennifer Lopez sports large sunglasses as she poses with two companions, posted on August 17, 2024 | Source: x.com/JLo

The actress also shared a video explaining to her social media followers how she drinks from a bottle. “See how I do this when I drink from the bottle, very demure,” she playfully said before taking a sip. “Very mindful,” she added.

Jennifer Lopez shows her social media followers how she drinks from the bottle, posted on August 17, 2024 | Source: x.com/JLo

Jennifer Lopez says she is “mindful” of how she drinks from the bottle, posted on August 17, 2024 | Source: x.com/JLo

She also explained that she doesn’t chug her drink all at once but prefers to take small sips. “Just little. Little by little. Very elegant. Swelling it. Demure. Mindful [sic],” she shared, before walking off-camera.

Jennifer Lopez says she does not chug when drinking from the bottle, posted on August 17, 2024 | Source: x.com/JLo

Jennifer shows how she reacts when she chugs the bottle, posted on August 17, 2024 | Source: x.com/JLo

Jennifer Lopez says she sips from the bottle “little by little,” posted on August 17, 2024 | Source: x.com/JLo

Despite the buzz surrounding her concert appearance, JLo did make time to visit Ben on his 52nd birthday. She was seen leaving his rental home in Brentwood earlier that day, dressed casually in a brown jacket, blue jeans, and sneakers. She quietly exited the house and climbed into a large black vehicle.

Meanwhile, Ben’s ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, had also visited his rental home just hours earlier. She left in a sleek BMW, wearing a striped white T-shirt, navy trousers, and glasses, along with simple jewelry, including silver earrings and an Apple Watch.

Jennifer and Ben, who divorced in 2018, continue to co-parent their children—Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12—with a mature and friendly relationship.

Similarly, Jennifer Lopez‘s solo divorce filing from Ben on their anniversary highlights her desire for independence. The absence of a prenuptial agreement adds to the public intrigue, revealing the complexities of their high-profile separation.