Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck Without Using a Lawyer
- August 22, 2024 12:03pm
- 396
Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, without the use of an attorney, two years after their rekindled romance culminated in a lavish wedding. Legal experts speculate that this move may signal an amicable separation or a shrewd strategy to protect their privacy amid rumors of prenuptial agreements and complex financial matters.
Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital. The "Jenny From the Block" singer filed the divorce herself in Los Angeles County Superior Court Tuesday without using a lawyer, according to People magazine. She listed April 26 as their date of separation.
Lopez's decision to file without an attorney has raised questions about the couple's current relationship and the division of assets. Celebrity divorce attorney Christopher Melcher, partner at Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLP, noted that Lopez "is not doing a thing without legal counsel."
Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck Without Using a Lawyer
"Filing a divorce case was required for the marital status of the parties to be terminated. If there is no dispute, the paperwork can be processed without listing an attorney of record," Melcher told Fox News Digital.
"Jennifer filed first, which shows that she is taking the lead in getting this done."
Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck Without Using a Lawyer
Reports surfaced that Affleck and Lopez didn't have a prenuptial agreement when they were married in 2022, but Melcher cautioned against making assumptions.
"Jennifer was not required to disclose on the court forms whether she entered into a premarital agreement with Ben, so no conclusions should be reached about the existence or non-existence of a prenup," he said.
Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck Without Using a Lawyer
"It would be par for the course for a couple like this to have a premarital agreement in place. Lopez likely didn't make a move on her divorce without seeking legal counsel, celebrity divorce lawyer Christopher Melcher said. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)"Although this marriage lasted only two years, the parties have significant wealth, and that makes a divorce complex. They can maintain privacy by agreeing on all aspects of their split."
"Jennifer filed first, which shows that she is taking the lead in getting this done." — Christopher Melcher
Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck Without Using a Lawyer
Holly Davis, founding partner of Kirker Davis LLP, believes Lopez is trying to create the "most drama-free divorce possible" by filing under the radar.
"They are moving slowly and deliberately, and the slow pace seems to indicate extreme caution and sensitivity on both Ben and Jen’s part," Davis said. "But if we don’t see finalization soon, that might indicate some aspect of this is becoming contentious and that there is some difficulty reaching amicable agreements. Then the gloves might come off."
Jennifer Lopez Files for Divorce from Ben Affleck Without Using a Lawyer
Affleck, 52, and Lopez, 55, first said "I do" during a surprise Las Vegas wedding in 2022. One month later, the newlyweds hosted a backyard ceremony for friends and family at the $8 million Georgia mansion Affleck bought when the couple first began dating 20 years ago.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were married in Las Vegas in July 2022. (Jennifer Lopez)
Lopez filed the divorce documents on the second anniversary of their Georgia wedding, which may have been a declaration in and of itself.
"They are moving slowly and deliberately, and the slow pace seems to indicate extreme caution and sensitivity on both Ben and Jen’s part." — Holly Davis
"Her timing was, of course, revealing," Marilyn Chinitz, partner at Blank Rome, told Fox News Digital. "I think that's a real statement. 'I'm done. I'm ready to move on.' Because they, you know, I suspect they really suffered going through these several months, and I think she just decided 'I'm ready to be done.'"
Chinitz believed the former couple had "a mediator who helped work with them to come to a resolution" so the filing was more of an "administrative" task.
"She's smart enough to know that she would need counsel, and I think that they've already worked it out," she said. "We've got to give them credit. They're both hugely successful. They've both made a lot of money. They both have children from prior marriages who they want to protect. We know that their kids, all of them, have played a big part in their lives. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck hosted a second wedding in Georgia after their secret Las Vegas nuptials. (Jennifer Lopez/OntheJLO.com)"I'm sure that she and he both put those kids first, and they did not want to have more drama in their lives to put their kids in. So, that's why I think most likely they worked with a mediator to settle this.""We've got to give them credit. They're both hugely successful. They've both made a lot of money. They both have children from prior marriages who they want to protect." — Marilyn Chinitz
Brand expert Doug Eldridge agreed that Lopez was trying to send a message with her filing, but her brand may have already suffered from months of dodging relationship rumors with her fourth husband.
"Knowing Lopez — and her stranglehold on image management — this was definitely part of the discussion, but I'd imagine it's more like the ‘duck theory.' Above the surface, you see the calm head looking side to side, but below the waterline, the legs are kicking fervently and trying to move things forward while giving the illusion of ease," Eldridge told Fox News Digital. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were married in 2022, 20 years after calling off their first wedding. (Johnny Nunez)
Eldridge went on to say he believes "Lopez lost the marital narrative soon after the horse left the stable, as Affleck became a walking meme of marital discord."
Eldridge added, "While many find it funny, Lopez — who's known for a short fuse and a hot temper — is far less tolerant of anything that undercuts her marketability. The litany of paparazzi shots capturing Affleck's misery seemed oddly authentic, while the staged event photos looked more like something from Olan Mills in the '80s — everybody saw them, nobody liked them."
Fox News Digital's Larry FInk contributed to this report.
Related articles
-
Tom Selleck's Bittersweet Farewell to "Blue Bloods" and the Perils of Losing His Ranch
Tom Selleck, the beloved icon of "Blue Bloods" and "Magnum, P.I.," expresses frustration over the show's cancellation after 14 years of success. The...
- 05 Oct 2024
-
Intimate Marilyn Monroe Photos by Close Friend Reveal Untold Stories
A new book featuring over 100 never-before-seen photographs captures the genuine persona of Marilyn Monroe, taken by her close confidante, Eve...
- 05 Oct 2024
-
Country Music Community Rallies to Aid Hurricane Helene Victims
Music industry icons, including Dolly Parton, Morgan Wallen, and Eric Church, are extending their support to those affected by Hurricane Helene,...
- 05 Oct 2024
-
The Menendez Brothers: Monsters or Victims?
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. Now, new evidence and public figures like Kim Kardashian are...
- 05 Oct 2024
-
Diddy Accused of Sexual Assault by Over 100 Alleged Victims in Class-Action Lawsuit
Renowned music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs faces allegations of sexual abuse from over 100 individuals in a newly filed class-action lawsuit. The...
- 05 Oct 2024
-
Rapper and Social Media Star Lucas Coly Passes Away at Age 27
Lucas Coly, a rising rapper and social media sensation, has tragically passed away at the young age of 27. The news of his untimely demise has sent...
- 05 Oct 2024
Leave a comment
Your comment is awaiting moderation. We save your draft here
0 Comments
Chưa có bình luận nào