Ben and Jen avoid courts for divorce

THEY tried to save their 12-year marriage after announcing their separation in 2015 but Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are now officially over.

The pair have filed for divorce and are requesting joint legal and physical custody of their three children, Violet, 11, Seraphina, eight and Samuel, five.

There is believed to be no prenuptial agreement between the Hollywood exes who are expected to split their fortune equally. Reportedly, the case will be handled by a mediator rather than in court and could take up to six months to be finalised.

Since their 2015 split, Ben, 44, and Jennifer, who turns 45 on Monday, have remained very close, prompting rumours that they were working on their marriage.

The Dallas Buyers Club actress also supported Ben when he recently completed a stint in rehab for a drink problem. In a Facebook post, he wrote: “I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction… I’m lucky to have the love of… my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared.”

A source added: “Whatever form this relationship is, they will always have love for each other.”

The pair’s separation announcement followed claims that the Batman Vs Superman star had been cheating with the family’s 30-year-old nanny Christine Ouzounian.

Jennifer elaborated on the rumours in a Vanity Fair interview last year, stating: “She had nothing to do with our decision to divorce. She was not a part of the equation. Bad judgment? Yes. It’s not great for your kids for [a nanny] to disappear from their lives.”

Ben and Jennifer started dating shortly after co-starring in superhero flick Daredevil in 2003.