Divorcing couples in New Jersey could take some cues from the largely drama-free divorce of actors Ben Affleck, 42, and Jennifer Garner, 43. Although celebrity divorces tend to be headline-grabbing disputes, the Affleck and Garner split illustrates how some spouses quietly choose to end a marriage and go forward as parents.
After their 10th anniversary, they confirmed their intention to divorce in a joint statement. During their marriage they had three children, and they plan to co-parent them and continue to be on friendly terms.
Their relationship began after Affleck stopped dating Jennifer Lopez. Garner appeared in “Pearl Harbor” in 2001 and “Daredevil” in 2003 with Affleck. Their first official appearance as a couple took place during the 2004 World Series. When the Red Sox won the championship, Garner credited the positive experience to fostering their marriage. At the time, she told a news outlet that if Affleck’s home team had lost, he might have considered her bad luck. They married the following year in Turks and Caicos.
The good times and happy years, however, apparently shifted into a desire to separate. Couples choosing to divorce often share such a sentiment. A person who is entering the divorce process could benefit from discussing the issue with an attorney. The division of marital assets and debts along with child custody and support sometimes involve extensive negotiations as well as an understanding of legal rights and obligations. A family law attorney might provide assistance to a client through negotiating a comprehensive settlement agreement that covers these and other divorce legal issues and that can receive court approval.