Ben Affleck’s Deceptive Strategy to End His Marriage with Jennifer Lopez: Is He Manipulating Her?

Ben Affleck is allegedly “stringing along” Jennifer Lopez and a reconciliation seems unlikely, regardless of their affectionate moments in New York. The actor is reportedly aiming for a cordial divorce for the sake of their children.

Lopez initiated divorce proceedings on August 20, marking the second anniversary of their official nuptials in Georgia in 2022, claiming irreconcilable differences and stating they had been separated since late April.

Despite a kiss at the Beverly Hills Hotel sparking optimism among fans about a possible reconciliation, insiders indicate that the couple, who have faced challenges throughout 2024, are not on the path to reunification. Affleck is reportedly concentrating on their children as his main focus.

“They’re not reuniting,” a source informed RadarOnline.com. “He’s just trying to make this separation as smooth as possible.”

“He’s putting on a façade because he doesn’t want the divorce to become contentious. Some might suggest he’s leading her on.”

“They find themselves in a tough position, so keeping this divorce amicable is crucial for the children. Ensuring the well-being of the kids is Ben’s top priority.”

Reasons behind Lopez and Affleck’s separation

Affleck has three children from his previous marriage to Jennifer Garner spanning from 2005 to 2018 and is also a stepfather to Lopez’s two children from her former marriage to Marc Anthony, which lasted from 2004 to 2014.

This split signifies the end of their blended family of four years, with Lopez reportedly planning to remove Affleck’s surname from her legal name due to their marriage, while the Pearl Harbor star has already relocated to a new residence.

“[Lopez] decided to proceed because that was their mutual agreement; she would be the one to file,” sources conveyed to RadarOnline. “Ultimately, she took the steps necessary.”

Another insider stated, “Over time, they experienced significant communication barriers, with minor disagreements escalating into major conflicts. Their approaches to handling disputes are fundamentally different.”