Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck ‘Unlikely to Fight Over Money,’ Expert Says

Divorces can turn ugly fast, especially when there’s lots of money involved. But Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck may be able to settle their split amicably, despite their significant wealth – and the reported lack of a prenuptial agreement – an expert says. 

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck should have a ‘manageable’ divorce 

On August 20, Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck. The split comes just over two years after they wed in an intimate Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022. 

According to TMZ, Lopez and Affleck did not have a prenuptial agreement. In her divorce filing, she did not request any spousal support. She also asked that Affleck not be granted such support. Both brought significant assets into the marriage, though she is wealthier than he is. He’s worth an estimated $150 million, while she’s worth $400 million.

Because the couple has no prenup and lives in California, a community property state, anything either person earned (or debts they incurred) while married is shared equally between them. She recorded a new album and released an accompanying documentary while they were together. He worked on several movies. Splitting it all up could get complicated. But at least one expert thinks the exes are likely to keep things cordial. 

“Generally speaking, the longer the marriage, the harder the divorce, especially in California. Since Lopez and Affleck were only married for two years, there should be a manageable amount to unwind, even without a pre-nuptial agreement,” Beverly Hills family lawyer Alphonse Provinziano said in an email.  

“Both already have substantial net worth independent of each other, so they are unlikely to fight over money, including spousal support,” he said.

“Their biggest asset is the dream home they bought for $60 million together, which they have listed for sale after making renovations over the last few months, a sign that they knew this was coming,” added Provinziano, who has worked on a number of cases involving A-list celebrities and high-net-worth individuals. “Presumably, they’ll divide whatever they earn from the sale as part of the divorce.”

Will Jennifer Lopez ask for stepparent visitation rights? 

Money may not be the only issue at hand in Bennifer’s divorce. Both have children from previous marriages – Affleck’s three kids from his marriage to Jennifer Garner and Lopez’s twins from her marriage to Marc Anthony. There’s a chance that one or both will ask for the right to visit their stepchildren. 

“The only other question would be if either wants to fight for stepparent visitation rights, which they would have the right to under California law,” Provinziano said. 

Despite their brief marriage, Lopez reportedly bonded with Affleck’s three kids, particularly his eldest daughter Violet, 18. But he is not as close with her 16-year-old twins, a source told People. 

So, how long until Affleck and Lopez are legally single again? Some recent high-profile splits have dragged on for years, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, whose divorce proceedings have been ongoing since 2016, and Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez, who took eight years to settle their divorce. But unlike some celebs, Affleck and Lopez probably won’t have a drawn-out legal battle, Provinziano predicted. 

“I would not be surprised if this was one of those divorce cases where the announcement is swiftly followed by a confidential settlement,” he said. 

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