BEN’S GONE GIRL
Jennifer makes the split official
Could this be the most amicable divorce in Hollywood history? Just three days after they officially filed for divorce, following a seemingly on-again, off-again break-up, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner looked happier than ever as they attended an Easter Sunday church service together in Brentwood, LA.
Jen (45) was dressed in her Sunday best – a pretty blue polka dot frock and nude heels – and carried a copy of the
Bible, while Ben, who arrived
separately, went smart-casual in a grey blazer, jeans and sneakers.
The A-listers have kept fans on tenterhooks, appearing on such good terms after their split that a reunion always seemed possible.
Last March, a year after they separated, Jen told VanityFair she had no regrets. “I didn’t marry the big fat movie star; I married him,” she said. “And I would go back and remake that decision. I ran down the beach to him and I would again.”
But now, Ben (44) has moved out of the couple’s LA home as they begin the lengthy process to divide their assets – which could take as long as six months as the former couple had no pre-nuptial agreement in place.
It’s also reported that the GoneGirl star has been dating someone – albeit “not seriously” – with an insider alleging, “He’s ready to move on.”
As for Jen, sources claim she feels the time was right to officially end their 12-year marriage following Ben’s successful stint in rehab, despite recent speculation that his public recovery, which included a gushy Facebook post paying tribute to Jen, had prompted her to change her mind.
The Alias star was spotted beaming from ear to ear as she headed home from private members club Soho House in Malibu, where she had been celebrating her 45th birthday with a group of close friends.
Having just made their split official, the pair put on a united front to celebrate Easter with their kids, Violet (11), Seraphina (8) and Samuel (5).
In addition to attending church together, they reportedly enjoyed “an Easter celebration as a family” at their Pacific Palisades mansion later on in the afternoon.
A source close to the star said that Jen is dealing with the split well, claiming she “seems fine”.
News of the divorce comes nearly two years after the pair announced they were separating in 2015.
Even after their separation, they continued to share their
Los Angeles home, with Ben staying at the guest house on the plush grounds.
They even holidayed in Europe together as a family after Ben finished shooting superhero movie Justice League in London.
“For the moment, they are all living together,” explains our source. “One thing they agree on – the kids will stay at the family house.
“Jen and Ben will focus on making things as run as smoothly as possible for the kids. It’s all about what’s best for them.”
So far, so good. But as they thrash out the nitty-gritty of dividing their multimilliondollar assets, only time will tell whether Hollywood’s happiest exes will keep those big smiles on their faces.
‘ I didn’t marry the big fat movie star; I married him. And I would go back and remake that decision’