Why Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Didn’t Want Their Divorce To ‘Get Ugly’

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck finally settled their divorce, and according to reports, the pair parted ways as friends and “never got petty” during the proceedings.

The former couple’s marriage was plagued by divorce rumors early last year after they weren’t photographed together for weeks.

By August, Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split.

Almost six months after the singer filed for divorce from Affleck, the pair have settled their divorce through mediation, avoiding a courtroom battle.

It officially marks the end of their relationship, following their whirlwind rekindling of romance in 2021, which led to two weddings in 2022.

Following their divorce settlement, an insider revealed to InTouch that Affleck and Lopez never intended to “get petty” with each other and plan to remain friends.

“Jennifer and Ben are officially divorced, and the only bright spot is that they never got ugly. Many thought that their lawyers would do the nasty nitpicking on behalf of each of them, but they both decided to leave the marriage as amicably as possible,” the source told the news outlet.

The insider further noted that while “there was a lot at stake,” the former couple were determined not to fight over their assets.

“Ben and Jennifer were not about to nickel and dime each other, they respected each other way too much for that,” the source noted. “I’m not saying that it never crossed their minds, it just wasn’t worth it. They have too much history together. They actually parted as friends.”

While most of the details of the former couple’s divorce settlement will remain private, the Daily Mail has reported that Lopez will keep the engagement ring Affleck gave her when he proposed.

The stunning piece features a large green diamond at the center, flanked by two elongated baguette diamonds, with a matching pair of trapezoid diamonds on either side.

The “Accountant” star reportedly paid around $5.6 million for it when it was purchased, and its value has likely increased since then.

According to TMZ, Lopez kept her engagement ring and walked away with all the other jewelry Affleck bought for her during their marriage.

The former couple consulted celebrity lawyer Laura Wasser to finalize their divorce without going to court. Since they had no prenuptial agreement, significant mediation was required to determine who got what.

It is now believed that Lopez will keep all the earnings they made since their separation in April 2024. Additionally, she will drop Affleck’s last name and return to her own in all her official documents.

Meanwhile, Affleck will not be giving up any stake in his production company, Artists Equity, which he founded with his close friend Matt Damon.

As for their $61 million Bel-Air mansion in Los Angeles, the former couple will split the profits once it is sold. The property has been on the market since last July, but it has yet to attract any committed buyers despite being publicly listed by the duo.

Despite their split, Lopez and Affleck have remained amicable. They have been spotted together several times since the divorce filing, partly due to the need to mediate their separation.

Most recently, Lopez visited Affleck before the Golden Globe ceremony and was seen sharing a hug with his 12-year-old son, Samuel.

She also reunited with her former lover last December, exchanging gifts to celebrate the festive season.

“They have every intention of continuing to be in each other’s lives despite not being romantically involved,” an insider told Page Six about the duo’s continued connection.

The source also claimed that the former couple will still “communicate when it involves their kids,” referencing their kids from their previous partners.

Lopez shares two children, Emme and Max, with ex-husband Marc Anthony, while Affleck shares Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel with Jennifer Garner.

As the dust settles on her divorce, Lopez seems entirely focused on her own life. In a recent interview, she hinted at her plans for the new year, showing her intentions.

According to the actress, she plans on “pushing my boundaries creatively and seeing where that takes me,” per the Daily Mail.

These plans reportedly extend through all her ventures, “whether that’s through acting or music or producing or expanding JLo Beauty.”

She added, “I want to continue challenging myself to evolve and to try new things while all the while being true to who I am and those that I love.”

Lopez also deliberately left Affleck out of her 2024 recap, choosing instead to highlight special moments from her year, such as cover shoots, performances, premiere appearances, and award shows.