KNIVES ARE OUT JLo ‘takes a stab’ at Ben Affleck with subtle detail in divorce filing – but gives ex a chance at ‘simple’ resolution
JENNIFER Lopez “is taking a stab” at Ben Affleck with the timing of her divorce filing, but is likely giving him a chance at a simple split having not hired a lawyer, an expert has revealed.
Lopez, 55, filed on Tuesday, August 20 – which would have been her and Affleck’s second wedding anniversary of their ceremony in Georgia.
In court docs filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, she alleged their separation date was back in April, as it was widely reported they were already living apart.
TMZ reported Lopez did not hire a lawyer for the filing and it is understood that they didn’t have a prenuptial agreement in place.
In a chat with The U.S. Sun, divorce lawyer Michelle O’Neil said, “It’s always a difficult situation when a marriage ends, especially when it is as short as theirs.
“It’s surprising that they married without a prenup with all the advisors that they are both bound to have.
“It’s also interesting the correlation of her filing on the date of their second wedding anniversary. That’s a stab at him certainly.
“Usually, when a couple marries without a premarital agreement, all of their income and assets gathered during the marriage would be community property and available to be split between the two of them.
“Jennifer and Ben have accumulated significant income and assets just during their two years of marriage based on the movies that they’ve both been in and produced.
“I’m certain that they have many entities and complexities about how their assets are structured so the actual picture may be more simple than we realize.”
MILLIONS AT STAKE
The pair made a lot of money during their short marriage.
Affleck starred in a number of movies and also produced two films, which saw him included on the 2023 list of the highest-paid actors having pulled in around $38 million in earnings last year.
His bride has also been busy, starring in the likes of The Mother, Shotgun Wedding, and This Is Me … Now, her album turned movie that focused on the pair reconciling after their previous engagement was called off in 2004.
The pair also bought a 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom mansion for around $60 million after months of searching for the perfect marital home, which is now on the market.
According to docs, they took out a huge $20 million mortgage on the property after initially paying for the property in cash.
Lopez also has several brand deals promoting everything from alcoholic beverages to Italian lingerie with Intimissimi.
Attorney O’Neil continued, “What I find with my 30 years of experience is that with couples who have very significant and very complex estates like Jennifer and Ben is much more likely that they will divorce more simply than more complex.
“We can see a hint of this by the fact that she filed for divorce without a lawyer.
“However, if things are not as simple as they should be, I feel certain that she will go back to the celebrity divorce lawyer in Los Angeles, Laura Wasser, who represented Jennifer previously in her divorce from Marc Anthony.
“Ms. Wasser is well adept at handling these types of complex divorces.
“California has a complex system of spousal support, depending on which spouse has more significant assets and could or could not support themselves.
“Based on the media reports of how much money each of these people has available to them I doubt that would be an issue for either Jennifer or Ben.
“The courts would identify the income and assets acquired during the marriage and reach an equitable division of them between the two if they can’t agree on their own.”
DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES
“My best effort at a crystal ball prediction would be that Jennifer and Ben will have advisors that will meet and work out their differences, amicably, outside of the eye of the media, and get a rather quiet divorce.
“But I would certainly expect that if Jennifer goes around the block again with another marriage, she should consult her lawyer and get a premarital agreement.
“Premarital agreements are very good whether you have significant assets or a more modest estate to set expectations and predetermine what things look like in the event your marriage doesn’t work out.”
“With or without a prenup, I would imagine she knew what she was doing along the way. I suspect she knew how to structure her deals to protect herself whether she had a prenup or not,” she said.
“Based on the media attention that’s been given to the situation, with Ben moving out, I would bet he stands to lose more if the truth got out.
“It looks to me like she’s giving him the opportunity for a quiet divorce rather than going in public with whatever has been going on behind the scenes.”
On the day that news of their divorce broke, Lopez was seen looking stoic during an outing in New York, while Affleck was with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner stepping off a private jet in Los Angeles, after dropping daughter Violet, 18, at college in Connecticut.
Lopez announced their engagement in a tearful video on her website On The JLo in April 2022, showing off an emerald and diamond ring.
The couple tied the knot in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022, with a more lavish ceremony at Affleck’s Georgia plantation the following month.
But after returning home, it wasn’t long before cracks began to show, with videos of Affleck looking miserable often going viral.
It also appeared that he was scolded by his wife for not looking motivated during the Grammys when the cameras were on them.
