Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are trying to divide their assets amicably, but it’s not always easy.
As the stars negotiate the end of their two-year marriage with the help of celebrity divorce attorney Laura Wasser, a source told People that their divorce “could potentially end badly” because they did not sign a prenuptial agreement.
The source noted that there are “some financial issues” between the 55-year-old superstar and the 52-year-old two-time Oscar winner, who married at The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas.
Lopez wrote in her divorce filing, which listed the date of separation as April 26, 2024, that their assets were “unknown.”
Under California law, only the income and assets they earned during their short-lived marriage are considered “community property and can be divided.”
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are ‘currently in mediation’ with celebrity divorce attorney Laura Wasser (seen January 2024)
For example, consider the Beverly Hills mansion they bought last year for $60.8 million and a number of projects and sponsorship deals they’ve undertaken since they got married.
They are currently engaged in mediation, a less formal and faster alternative to a traditional divorce.
According to Wagner & Bloch’s website, “divorce mediation is an alternative dispute resolution procedure in which an outside mediator guides a divorcing couple in resolving issues related to property division, child custody, alimony, and other divorce matters.”
Affleck is said to be “happy” as he slowly moves into his new home in a neighborhood he loves while his divorce proceedings from Jennifer continue.
A source said People that Ben is “doing well” and is “slowly moving into his new home,” after moving vans were recently spotted at the marital home he shares with Jennifer.
The insider explained, “He’s where he wants to be: close to his kids and in a neighborhood he loves. He also enjoys working and is very focused on the positives.”
On July 24, Jennifer’s birthday, Ben closed escrow on his $20.5 million, five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Brentwood.
Meanwhile, Lopez had been looking for a home since May, but the couple had yet to find one. The 12-bedroom, $68 million home was on the market.
As the former couple negotiates the end of their two-year marriage, a source told People that their divorce “has the potential to get ugly” since they didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot at The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas.
In the midst of separation, Jennifer also seems to be doing well. According to a source, she is “still very happy,” despite the “bitterness” surrounding the split.
“She tried so hard to make everything work and Ben didn’t care. She’s surrounded by family, friends and her kids,” the insider told People.
Jennifer and Ben officially split on April 26. On August 20, the actress filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Shortly after the filing, speculation swirled that Ben was dating RFK Jr.’s daughter Kick Kennedy after they were spotted together in Los Angeles on several outings.
On Wednesday, sources claimed that Jennifer was “very angry” with Ben over rumors that he was “hanging out” with Kick in recent weeks.
However, Ben’s rep strongly denied the reports, telling People: “There’s no truth to it. I don’t know if they even know each other.”
Jennifer and Ben first met on the set of Martin Brest’s 2001 flop Gigli in Los Angeles, but split abruptly just three days before their wedding in 2004.
They both married others: Jennifer married Marc Anthony in 2004 and Ben tied the knot with Jennifer Garner in 2005.
After breaking up, they got back together in 2021.
The source noted that there are “some financial issues” between the superstar, 55, and the two-time Oscar winner, 52 (seen in 2023)
The superstar couple first tied the knot in July 2022 at a Las Vegas chapel, followed by a larger ceremony at his Georgia estate the following month.
The couple split earlier this year, reportedly having “planned” their divorce before Jennifer filed on August 20.