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. 🙄🙄”
