Hold onto your hats, folks, because the hottest topic in Hollywood right now is none other than the rekindled romance between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck that eventually came to an end with a divorce being finalized in January 2025. But amidst the whirlwind of their highly-publicized love affair, there’s one question burning brighter than the Hollywood lights: did they sign a prenup this time around? With so much at stake (a combined $550 million fortune, that is), it’s no wonder this is such a frequently asked question. Join us as we unravel the rumors, dissect the implications, and dive into the fascinating world of J.Lo and Ben Affleck.
Why prenups are important for celebs
For starters, one UK study on celebrity divorces showed that over the same course of 14 years, celebrities were twice as likely to get a divorce than non-celebs. This is reason #1 as to why prenups are important for celebs– the divorce rate is simply higher. With celebs typically having higher net worths, making sure they protect their assets in case they get divorced is crucial.
Another reason prenups are important for celebs is because of their privacy. Prenups can protect their privacy by including an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), or confidentiality clause in the agreement. This essentially prevents either spouse from sharing personal information about the other while married, and if they ever get divorced. Privacy is king for these celebs, so this is a critical reason to get a prenup.
Finally, setting expectations between the couple is extremely important. These celebs have tons of assets–businesses, investments, royalties, cash, real estate, etc. They need to utilize their prenup to set the expectation with one another. For example, if J.Lo wants to make sure all bank accounts are separate, she can set that expectation with Ben via their prenup. That’s just one example, there are many different ways to set boundaries and clear expectations with a partner with a prenup!
Jennifer Lopez’s net worth in 2024
At the time of their pending divorce (late 2024), J.Lo’s net worth stood at an impressive $400 million – an astounding achievement! Firstly, her music career has been nothing short of iconic. Who can forget hits like “Jenny From The Block”? With eight albums under her belt and more in the works, her musical talent continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Then, there’s her acting skills. According to Women’s Health Magazine, her films have collectively grossed over $3 billion, solidifying her status as a box office powerhouse. But J.Lo’s talents don’t stop there – she’s conquered other realms of entertainment with a Las Vegas residency, a successful fashion line, lucrative perfume ventures, and much more.
Ben Affleck’s net worth in 2024
Ben isn’t living in poverty by any means. He’s got his own mega fortune as one of the world’s most famous actors. His net worth as of 2024 was alleged to be around $150 million. He is also a producer, screenwriter, and director. His money primarily comes from his work in cinema. One of his highest paychecks from acting was from a film, coincidentally, called “Paycheck,” and Ben earned a whopping $15 million for his talent. The rest of his fortune can be attributed to different acting gigs, producing, and directing.
Ben and Jen: A prenup the first time around
Before we discuss what’s going on in the 2020s, it’s important to reminisce on Y2K and the power that Ben and Jen held over the world. Their relationship truly took the world by storm and had everyone in a theoretical chokehold. They dominated the tabloids, news, and MTV (yes, MTV was still being “watched” back then).
Legend has it that Ben and Jen had a prenup ahead of their wedding. However, they ended up calling the wedding off, which shocked the nation as they were America’s favorite couple (for any Gen-Z’ers out there, this relationship was equivalent to the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce phenomenon happening now).
Their prenup reportedly had a “no-cheating” clause in it to protect J.Lo from Ben ever potentially cheating (again). In addition, it made sure both of their assets were kept separate should they separate. A source revealed to the Daily Mail back in 2003 that Jen opted for a “no-cheating” clause because Ben had (at the time) been led astray while visiting a strip club. The clause stated that if he cheated, the prenup would be void…meaning J.Lo would be entitled to half of Ben’s belongings. The pair ended up calling off their 2003 wedding, which means the prenup never went into effect.
Was there a prenup for Bennifer 2.0?
Fast forward some 20 years, and Ben and J.Lo are in love again. And this time… they went through with their wedding! According to OK! Magazine, the pair does not have a prenup even though they have a combined $550 million fortune, with J.Lo at a whopping $400 million and Ben at $150 million. J.Lo allegedly has “unconditional” love for Ben, and divorce just “isn’t in the cards,” reported OK! Magazine. Well, sadly, she was wrong, and the pair divorced after only 2 years of marriage.
The 2025 Bennifer divorce
Unfortunately, their whirlwind 2.0 romance came to a halt in January 2025 when they finalized their divorce. Since the two are California residents, they filed for divorce in California. That means that community property laws apply to their divorce should they not have a prenup or agree otherwise. Community property laws generally state that any assets or debts acquired during the marriage will be split 50/50. The only known asset the two acquired during their short marriage was a shared mansion worth about $68 million. Allegedly, the pair agreed to split the proceeds from the $68M mansion (whenever it sells) and keep their other assets separate.
Final thoughts on J.Lo’s prenup
Bottom line? Bennifer did not have a prenup, but it sounds like their divorce outcome was relatively smooth. Allegedly, the couple kept things separate, except for their $68 million shared mansion, which they agreed to split. We don’t have all the details of the fallout, so it’s unclear about the dirty details, such as whether there was any pushback, but based on what’s been reported, it seems like they were largely aligned on the financial front. That said, not everyone is J.Lo and Ben, with massive legal teams, PR filters, and millions to fall back on. For the rest of us, a prenup can take the guesswork (and drama) out of a split. It’s not about betting on divorce—it’s about making sure your future is protected, no matter what!
Nicole Sheehey is the Head of Legal Content at HelloPrenup, and an Illinois licensed attorney. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to prenuptial agreements. Nicole has Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School. She has a deep understanding of the legal and financial implications of prenuptial agreements, and enjoys writing and collaborating with other attorneys on the nuances of the law. Nicole is passionate about helping couples locate the information they need when it comes to prenuptial agreements. You can reach Nicole here: Nicole@Helloprenup.com
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