What Ben Affleck Was Up to Before Jennifer Lopez Filed: Japan with Jennifer Garner and Kids, Violet’s College Dropoff

Mar. 15, 2025

Ben Affleck.Photo:Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Ben Affleckhad an eventful few weeks before news of his split fromJennifer Lopezwas announced.

On Tuesday, Aug. 20,Lopez, 55, filed for divorcefrom the actor, 52, after just over two years of marriage, multiple sources confirmed to PEOPLE. The pairtied the knot in Las Vegason July 17, 2022, but Aug. 20marked the second anniversaryof their traditional wedding ceremony in Georgia.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.Frazer Harrison/Getty

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Hours before news of Lopez’s filing broke, Affleck and his ex-wifeJennifer Garner, 52,arrived back in Los Angelesafter dropping their daughterViolet, 18,off at college at Yale Universityin New Haven, Connecticut.

After getting off the plane, Garner and Affleck got in the car and left together.

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“Jen and Ben are great at coming together for family events,” a source told PEOPLE. “Violet’s brilliant and very responsible. Jen and Ben know she’ll do fantastic.”

On Monday, an insider said that Affleck “has been very focused on getting Violet ready for move-in” amid his and Lopez’s marital tension.

“It’s, of course, a huge deal for the whole family, and they’ve all been so excited the last few weeks,” the source added to PEOPLE.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner.Mark Sullivan/WireImage

Mark Sullivan/WireImage

Garner and Affleck, whosedivorce was finalized in 2018after they married in 2005, also sharekids Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12, together.

Days before Violet’s college drop-off, Affleck marked his 52nd birthday on Aug. 15 with a “small birthday celebration at home” with his kids. Garner was also seen making an appearance.

The insider continued, “The kids were with Ben for most of the day. He didn’t leave the house at all for his birthday.”

TheGood Will Huntingstar recently joined theYes Dayactress and their kids on a trip to Japan, PEOPLE confirmed. Affleck didn’t appear in a carousel of photos and videos from the trip thatGarner shared on Instagram on Aug. 15.

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The13 Going on 30star posted highlights from her “dream trip” to the country, which included eating ramen noodles, boat rides, and trying fresh abalone.

source: people.com