Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck Might Have Already 'Worked Out' Divorce Agreement, Signed Papers: Attorney
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck may have signed their divorce papers already amid the split rumors, according to an attorney.
Lopez, 54, and Affleck, 51, have been living separately and have already put their $60 million marital mansion for sale amid rumors their marriage could be heading for divorce. However, the pair still step out together from time to time for their kids' activities. Jacqueline Newman, a managing partner at the matrimonial law firm Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP, weighed in on the celebrity couple's relationship, saying she believes they might have settled their divorce already as they had been dropping "hints" about it.
"It is not looking good for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck," Newman said in a statement to Showbiz Cheat Sheet. "It feels like they are trying to let the public down easy by dropping hints about the marriage ending but not yet officially announcing it. If it is, in fact, over, I would bet that the terms are already worked out and the papers are already signed."
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According to the legal expert, the process would not be difficult as the pair likely had a prenuptial agreement and had just been married for less than two years. However, the real battle might be winning the court of public opinion, especially since many are following their marriage.
"The actual legal part of the divorce will be easy, as they undoubtedly have a tight prenuptial agreement, and it was a short-term marriage. It is the court to public opinion which will be the tougher divorce," she added.
Last year, a report claimed that the "Love Don't Cost a Thing" singer and "Gone Girl" actor were considering a postnup agreement, which mimics a prenup agreement but occurs after a wedding. At the time, the honeymoon phase was reportedly over, with a body language spotting "tension" between them when they attended Michael Rubin's annual Fourth of July party, the Mirror reported.
Lopez has a net worth of $400 million, while Affleck is worth $150 million. An unnamed source told Heat magazine that the singer has more to lose than her husband.
"Jen's got more to lose than Ben, and while she trusts in her gut that he wouldn't try to take her to the cleaners, there's a 'better safe than sorry' vibe, especially with so much on the line," Heat's insider said.
The tipster added that the move wasn't really new in Hollywood. Also, Affleck and Lopez have both gone through divorces, so they know the process and don't want to deal with a "nightmare money battle."
"It's not uncommon for couples in Hollywood to arrange these types of formal documents a year or two into their marriage," the source continued, noting that they are just "being sensible, but it still isn't an ideal scenario off the back of so much tension and trouble."
