Jennifer Lopez's Unusual Divorce Filing Says 'I'm Filing and I'm Doing It on My Own': Legal Source (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Lopez’s unusual divorce filing amidher splitfromBen Affleckindicates she “just wanted to get this done” and move forward, a legal expert tells PEOPLE.

On Tuesday, Aug. 20, Lopez, 55,filed for divorce from Affleck, 52, in Los Angeles County Superior Court without using a lawyer. She listed April 26, 2024 as the date of separation.

The pairmarried in Las Vegason July 16, 2022, butAug. 20 marked the second anniversaryof thetraditional wedding ceremonythey held in Georgia.

While speaking to PEOPLE, Marilyn Chinitz, who is the matrimonial partner at Blank Rome LLP, says when discussing Lopez’s decision to file without counsel, what is known as pro se, “I think that she most likely just wanted to get this done, [that] there was a lot of hesitation and hemming and hawing back and forth, and it’s a statement, ‘I’m moving forward, I’m filing and I’m doing it on my own.'”

Jennifer Lopez.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

She says it’s likely the former couple have been “probably working with a mediator” amid the divorce proceedings.

“The only time that you see people not having a prenup is when they’ve put most of their assets in trust for their children, and those trusts have been established and they wouldn’t be part of the community [property],” Chinitz tells PEOPLE.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.Christopher Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024/Getty

Christopher Polk/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024/Getty

As to whether the divorce is “amicable,” Chinitz adds, “I think the next step is to see how he [Affleck] responds, and I think that will give us a clue as to what’s going on.”

California-based family law attorney, David Glass, also tells PEOPLE that Lopez and Affleck are likely working with a mediator.

Jennifer Lopez.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

“Sometimes when people work with a mediator, they hire a neutral third party, either a retired judge or a very experienced attorney who doesn’t represent either of the parties, but it helps them to mediate,” Glass says.

“It helps them to figure out how to split everything up. The mediator will prepare the pleadings for them, but they appear pro se like they’re filing for themselves. And so that’s probably why she’s pro se, I don’t think she’s intending to represent herself or figure it all out,” he adds.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.Michael Kovac/Getty Images for LACMA

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for LACMA

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Lopez and Affleck’s split comes after theyrekindled their romance in April 2021— years after they firstdated and became engaged, beforepostponing a planned September 2003 wedding.

Whilespeaking to PEOPLEin 2022, Lopez said of getting back together with Affleck, “I feel so lucky and happy and proud to be with him. It’s a beautiful love story that we got a second chance.”

source: people.com