Jennifer Lopez officially filed for divorce from Ben Affleck on Tuesday, a move that has been rumored for months but still came with some surprising twists. For instance, she chose to file on the exact two-year anniversary of their lavish Georgia wedding celebration, and she did so without legal representation. Even more perplexing is TMZ’s report that the couple, who have collectively been divorced four times before, allegedly never signed a prenuptial agreement.
Though we couldn’t consult Laura Dern’s character from Marriage Story for her take, real-life high-profile divorce attorneys weighed in on this potentially messy situation. They suggest that this brief marriage might lead to a drawn-out and dramatic divorce process.
Reports suggest the couple never signed a prenuptial agreement, despite their substantial assets
Filing without an attorney is unusual for someone of J.Lo’s stature, but it might have been important for her to make a statement by filing on their anniversary. This could be a way of asserting her independence and signaling that she’s done waiting for Affleck. Sources from People and Us Weekly seem to support this, noting that the timing of the filing was meant as a clear message to Ben.
As for the lack of a prenup, it’s surprising given their previous marriages and substantial assets. Without a prenup, anything earned during their two-year marriage could be considered community property, including Affleck’s work on Air and Lopez’s various projects.
The divorce could take a while to finalize, especially if negotiations over their finances become contentious. Lopez’s filing might have been a way to expedite the process, but without a prenup, there’s a lot at stake. Their $68 million Beverly Hills home is on the market, and while that may take time to sell, the division of proceeds might already be settled. However, the rest of their assets could lead to a prolonged and emotionally charged battle.
