Speculation is rising about the potential division of assets if actors Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck decide to end their two-year marriage. If they do divorce, a key question will be how they divide properties acquired during their union, especially given their combined estimated net worth of $550 million.
Although the couple was spotted together on Sunday, rumors are still swirling. Prior to one other outing together, according to reports, they had not been seen together for 47 days, and Affleck was spotted minus his wedding ring.
Many are also wondering if a prenuptial agreement was set in place before they tied the knot.
The Wallingford Estate In One Of The Couple’s Most Valuable Properties In Their Real Estate Portfolio
One key asset in question is the $60.8 million Wallingford Estate, purchased in 2023. This 38,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills sits on 5 acres and includes 12 bedrooms and 24 bathrooms. The estate features a 5,000-square-foot guest penthouse, caretaker house, two-bedroom guardhouse, parking for over 80 cars, a zero-edge pool, and a sports facility with a pickleball court, boxing ring, sports lounge, and bar. Initially listed for $135 million in 2018, the property’s price dropped multiple times before Lopez and Affleck acquired it for $75 million.
The couple made this estate their primary residence after selling their previous homes.
Affleck listed and easily sold his Pacific Palisades bachelor pad in 2022 for $28.5 million.
There was nothing easy about the sale of Lopez’s Bel-Air estate. Initially priced at $42.5 million in early 2023, the French-style compound with a guesthouse, studio, gym, 100-seat amphitheater, pagoda, and outdoor entertainment area sold for $33,950,000 in October 2023, nearly $10 million below the original asking price, according to Realtor.com.
Rumors Are Being Fanned By The Couple’s Actions
Recent sightings of Lopez house-hunting on May 14 and Affleck in the Brentwood neighborhood (early in the morning on May 16) by TMZ photographers have fueled breakup rumors, especially since the couple has not been seen together publicly since March 2024 in New York City. Additionally, neither has been wearing their wedding rings. This speculation might have been tempered by the fact that Affleck and Lopez were spotted out and about by photographers in Los Angeles on May 19.
If A Break Up Looms Over Their Marriage, Do They Have Protections In Place For Their Hefty Fortunes
Lopez, with a net worth of $400 million, and Affleck, worth $150 million, previously considered marriage in 2003 and reportedly drafted a prenuptial agreement with a “no-cheating” clause to protect Lopez. Although that prenup never took effect due to their breakup, recent reports suggest the couple might not have a current prenup but could consider a postnuptial agreement to protect their substantial assets.
“The prenuptial agreement is to protect both their assets and says that if they do split they keep their own money, except if Ben cheats,” an insider reportedly told the Daily News in the early 2000s. “Then the prenuptial becomes void. That means that the divorce will be done the normal Californian way – with Jennifer being entitled to up to half of Ben’s earnings.”
The source added, “She is not after Ben’s money, she has plenty of her own. But what she does want is for Ben to give her some guarantee that he will never cheat again.”
A postnup, which can be arranged after marriage, would clarify the division of assets and spousal support in case of divorce. With significant financial stakes, such an agreement might be prudent, particularly given Lopez’s higher net worth and the “Selena star” is said to be exploring.
“Jen’s got more to lose than Ben,” a different source said in 2023 to Mirror. “And while she trusts in her gut that he wouldn’t try to take her to the cleaners, there’s a ‘better safe than sorry’ vibe, especially with so much on the line.”
There are other events happening in the world. I think the media has more than publicized these 2 selfish, egocentric people for too long.