Jennifer Lopez 'Didn't Want a Divorce' from Ben Affleck but 'Seems Relieved' After Filing (Exclusive Source)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck on Nov. 17, 2023.Photo:Mindy Small/Getty

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck

Mindy Small/Getty

Jennifer Lopezseems ready to move forward after filing for divorce fromBen Affleck.

A source close to theAtlasactress, 55, tells PEOPLE she is “doing as well as she can” nearly one week after she filed for divorce on Aug. 20, which marked thetwo-year anniversary of their Georgia wedding celebration.

“It’s been incredibly difficult for her that Ben chose topull away from their marriage and move onwith his life, leaving her behind,” says the source. “She didn’t want a divorce. She wanted to figure things out. They love each other. Jennifer is not the type to just give up. It’s been almost torture for her to wait around.”

And “after filing for divorce, she seems relieved,” the source adds.

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Jennifer Lopez in New York City on Sept. 8, 2023; Ben Affleck in Los Angeles on March 27, 2023.Paul Morigi/Getty; Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Jennifer Lopez; Ben Affleck

Paul Morigi/Getty; Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck, 52, in Los Angeles County Superior Court without at an attorney present.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 10, 2021.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend the red carpet of the movie “The Last Duel” during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 10, 2021.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

The actress and singer’s decision to file her divorce paperwork without a lawyer marks a move that’s both unusual and indicates she “just wanted to get this done” and move forward, a legal expert told PEOPLE.

Marilyn Chinitz, a matrimonial partner at Blank Rome LLP who is not connected to the case, said of Lopez filing 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’mfiling and I’m doing it on my own.’ "

Lopez and Affleckrekindled their romance in April 2021, years after they firstdated and became engaged, beforepostponing a planned September 2003 weddingand splitting in January 2004.

source: people.com