Jennifer Lopez’s Strategic Move: Filing for Divorce Without a Lawyer
Jennifer Lopez has made a bold move by filing for divorce from Ben Affleck without the assistance of a lawyer. This decision is likely a strategic one, according to celebrity divorce attorney Chris Melcher.
“She probably is sending a message that there’s not going to be a fight,” Melcher explained, noting that this is the first time he’s seen a high-profile person like Lopez file for divorce without listing an attorney of record.
In California, divorce proceedings are public record, so if Lopez and Affleck do end up in a lengthy court battle, it would be thrust into the spotlight. By filing without a lawyer, Lopez is likely trying to convey that she’s not looking for a fight.
Melcher suggested that it would be “toxic to their brand” if Lopez and Affleck were to engage in a public battle, which is why he believes they’ve likely already worked out most of the details before filing.
The lawyer explained that Lopez’s decision to file without a lawyer may be a strategic move to take control of the narrative, but it doesn’t necessarily give her an advantage in the divorce proceedings. “The real benefit of filing first is to try to take the initiative and make it look like Jennifer’s the one who is deciding to end the marriage,” Melcher continued.
Lopez and Affleck’s whirlwind romance began in 2021, nearly two decades after their initial romance. The pair got married in July 2022, but speculation about their split began earlier this year. Affleck had moved out of their joint Beverly Hills mansion in May, and the couple didn’t celebrate their anniversary together last month.
Lopez filed for divorce on Tuesday, August 20, listing the date of separation as April 26. The singer waited until the two-year anniversary of her and Affleck’s Georgia wedding to file.
While Melcher believes that Lopez’s decision to file first doesn’t give her a significant advantage, he does think that the actors have likely already agreed on the division of assets and will eventually show up in court with an agreed judgment of divorce.
As the divorce proceedings unfold, it’s clear that Lopez and Affleck’s professional lives will remain entwined. Lopez is set to star in the upcoming film Unstoppable, an Amazon MGM Studios project produced by Affleck’s production company, Artists Equity.
Melcher noted that in the end, the attorneys and accountants will work behind the scenes to assist the parties in resolving everything, and the final step is filing for a divorce in these situations, because only a judge can terminate the merit.