Ben Affleck's Settlement With Jennifer Garner Was Viewed As "Complicated" And "Time-Consuming"

Summary

• While Ben Affleck is known for his successful Hollywood career, his personal life, including a divorce from Jennifer Garner, has had its ups and downs.
• Affleck and Garner's divorce proceedings were prolonged and complicated due to finances and Affleck's personal issues, but ultimately ended amicably.
• Despite divorce, both Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have seen their net worth increase significantly since their separation, with Affleck now worth over $150 million.

There’s no doubt that Ben Affleck is not only a great actor, but a talented filmmaker. Over the years, he’s appeared in award-winning films, such as Good Will Hunting (1997), Pearl Harbor (2001), Argo (2012), Gone Girl (2014), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), The Accountant (2016), and the sports drama The Way Back (2020).

While he’s managed to build an impressive career in Hollywood, Affleck’s personal life has had many ups and downs over the years. One of his biggest controversies to date has been his unexpected divorce from Daredevil co-star Jennifer Garner, after a decade together.

While the two actors announced their divorce in 2017, it took almost a year for the legal proceedings to finalize, mainly due to some personal issues Affleck was dealing with at the time.

Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner’s Divorce Was Long-Drawn And Complicated

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s divorce wasn’t finalized until October 2018. Although both actors had originally tried to make the process as amicable as possible for their children, things got complicated when it was time to draft the settlement. Plus, discussions had to be put on pause after Affleck was admitted to a rehab center in 2018.

To finalize their divorce, Affleck and Garner’s joint fortune had to be divided, as the former couple didn’t have a prenup. Ultimately, they ended up selling their Pacific Palisades home for over $3 million, which was probably divided equally between the two. As for their kids, the couple agreed to joint custody of their three children, which made the divorce proceedings way easier.

Shortly after a 40-day stay treatment for alcohol addiction, Affleck announced that their divorce was finalized.

"The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It's given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others," Affleck said in the statement shared on Instagram. "Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family."

Three years after his divorce from Garner was finalized, Affleck got married to J-Lo.

Ben Affleck Began Dating Jennifer Garner Shortly After Breaking Up With Jennifer Lopez

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner first met on the set of the 2001 action movie Pearl Habor, where Affleck starred as Captain Rafe McCawley alongside Kate Beckinsale, while Garner played a minor role as a nurse named Sandra. Given that their characters barely interact in the film, the two barely knew each other at the time. They didn’t become friends until two years later when they were cast as the main stars of the 2003 superhero film Daredevil.

At the time, both stars were in committed relationships. Garner was married to her Felicity co-star Scott Foley while Affleck was engaged to none other than Jennifer Lopez. However, it seemed that their relationship was more than platonic. “He's your basic tall, dark and handsome. He's it,” Garner said of Affleck in an interview to promote Daredevil in 2003. “I can't imagine anyone in the world I would rather see swoop in and save the day than Ben.”

However, Affleck and Garner didn’t begin dating until both of their relationships ended. Garner filed for divorce from Foley in 2003, while Affleck and Lopez ended their engagement in January 2004. Talking with Parade magazine, the 13 Going On 30 star revealed that her relationship with Affleck began over email.

"Well, it helped that we were both single at the time," she explained. "He's a very good writer ... He's a very persuasive writer."

After making their first public appearance in a 2004 World Series game, Affleck and Garner tied the knot a year later with a private ceremony. "We were able to have a beautiful, private wedding and I couldn't be happier,” was all Garner told the media about their relationship at the time. Later that year, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Violet Anne, to the world. Years later, they would have two other children together, daughter Seraphina Rose Elizabeth and son Samuel.

Despite keeping most of their personal lives private, Affect and Garner announced that they were getting a divorce shortly after their 10th wedding anniversary. Shortly after the announcement, the actors attended marriage counseling and ultimately decided to keep living together to better co-parent their three children. However, they ultimately filed for divorce in 2017, despite rumors that they had gotten back together.

How Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner’s Net Worth Changed After The Divorce

Although California is a no-fault divorce state where courts typically enforce a 50-50 division of assets, it’s unclear how much money Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner got after their divorce.

According to The Independent, Affleck and Garner had a combined $115 net worth at the time of their divorce, with the 13 Going On 30 star having a $40 million fortune and the Pearl Harbor star having a $75 million wealth. Today, Garner has a $80 million net worth, while Affleck is worth over $150 million, meaning that both actors have doubled their fortune since their divorce.