Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck finalized their divorce in October 2018, more than three years after they called it quits.
Garner and Affleck, who tied the knot in June 2005 after costarring in Pearl Harbor and Daredevil, share three kids: daughters Violet and Seraphina and son Samuel.
From rumored reunions to missing paperwork, revisit everything we know about Bennifer 2.0’s divorce!
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Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck finalized their divorce in October 2018, more than three years after they called it quits. Garner and Affleck, who tied the knot in June 2005 after costarring in Pearl Harbor and Daredevil, share three kids: daughters Violet and Seraphina and son Samuel. From rumored reunions to missing paperwork, revisit everything we know about Bennifer 2.0’s divorce!
Credit: Jeff Vespa/VF14/WireImage.com
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck finalized their divorce in October 2018, more than three years after they called it quits. Garner and Affleck, who tied the knot in June 2005 after costarring in Pearl Harbor and Daredevil, share three kids: daughters Violet and Seraphina and son Samuel. From rumored reunions to missing paperwork, revisit everything we know about Bennifer 2.0’s divorce!
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Affleck and Garner announced their decision to split after 10 years in June 2015. ”After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time,” the duo said in a joint statement to Us Weekly at the time. ”This will be our only comment on this private, family matter. Thank you for understanding."
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Us Weekly confirmed in June 2015 that the actor was still living on their Brentwood, California, property after the split in order to coparent their three kids. The twosome did not stay in the same house, however. “They want it to be simple and this takes the drama out of it,” a source told Us at the time. “It is important for them to keep this nice and efficient for the sake of their family.”
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A source told Us in July 2015 that their breakup was a long time coming. “They were in couples therapy for years. They were going to divorce when Sam was born but you know how it is — baby comes and solves the issues for a bit but it's just a Band-Aid,” the source explain at the time. “It hasn't been working for ages.”
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Not long after the split news broke, reports surfaced that Affleck was seeing the pair’s former nanny Christine Ouzounian. Sources claimed to Us at the time that the Gone Girl star and Ouzounian “were very flirty,” and Garner let go the babysitter after she thought something was going on between them. However, a rep for Affleck insisted to Us Weekly at the time that ”all allegations of a romantic relationship are baseless and untrue."
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After nanny-gate, the pair stepped out together on many different occasions, typically with smiles on their faces. The family were even spotted riding multiple rides at Disney World in Florida with their kids in August 2015. "This was all he wanted to do for his birthday, go to Disney World with his family, and that included Jen," a source told Us at the time. "It was clear they were together for the kids and putting up a united front.”
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Affleck opened up about their split during a candid interview on CBS This Morning in March 2016. “We’re doing our very best and we’re putting our kids first. That’s how we’re focusing on our day-to-day lives, and we don’t know what the future’s going to hold,” he said at the time. “Each step that we take is one where we prioritize our children, and everything else comes second. She’s just so good at doing that and sets such a good example. And that’s a lead that I follow."
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Reports that the duo may reunite surfaced in 2016 after a year went by and neither Affleck or Garner filed for divorce. A source told Us in July 2016 that if it was up to the Argo director, “they would be together.” A second insider added at the time that they were “never in a rush to file.”
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Affleck revealed in a candid Facebook post in March 2017 that he recently completed treatment for his struggles with alcohol abuse. “I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be. I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step,” he wrote at the time. “I’m lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I’ve done the work I set out to do. This was the first of many steps being taken towards a positive recovery.” An insider told Us at the time that Affleck was “feeling great” and “hopeful for the future” after treatment.
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Nearly two years after they announced their breakup, Garner filed for divorce in April 2017. Us confirmed at the time that the pair both filed without a lawyer and the court entered the actress’ divorce petition and the actor’s response at the same time.
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A source confirmed to Us in April 2017 that Affleck was ready to move out following the divorce filing. “Ben will move out and is looking for a property close by so they can continue to coparent as they have been,” a source close to the Good Will Hunting screenwriter told Us at the time. “He will move out when he finds the right place.”
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The twosome have made it a point to put their kids first over the years, even vacationing together in the Caribbean in June 2017. “Jen feels it is most beneficial for the kids to have their father present. … I was a great opportunity to keep the norm going for the kids,” an insider explained to Us at the time. “Jen will always do whatever it takes to provide the best arrangements for them that she can.”
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Affleck stepped out in public with Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus for the first time in summer 2017. However, multiple sources exclusively claimed Us in July 2017 that Affleck and Shookus first hooked up three years prior when he was still married to Garner.
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Garner and Affleck made it a point to celebrate nearly every holiday together with their three children after their split. While fans may have hoped the 13 Going on 30 star flew to Hawaii to reunite with Affleck in March 2018, a source exclusively told Us Weekly the visit was strictly for the Easter holiday with the kids. “Jen was planning on only spending a few days in Hawaii with Ben and the kids, and then leave them with the nanny so that he could have quality time with them,” the source told Us. “Easter has always been very important to Jen and they typically go to church as a family.”
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While an insider told Us Weekly in July 2018 that Garner and Affleck are “on good terms” with each other, the source revealed that they still “have their frustrations,” which is one of the reasons the divorce had not been finalized. “The one thing she’s not flexible on is sobriety,” the source explained. “Jen is hesitant to sign off until she’s certain that the kids will be in the best hands at all time. Finalizing the divorce has been a long process because of it.”
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A source told Us in July 2018 that the Alias alum “doesn’t want the kids around” Shookus or have her “in their lives.” The source noted that Affleck “understands and has honored her request.”
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Affleck and Garner were warned by a judge that their divorce was in danger of being dismissed due to lack to paperwork in August 2018. “The court may dismiss your case for delay in prosecution,” the documents obtained by Us Weekly stated.
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The Oscar winner was spotted arriving at an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting in August 2018 days after news broke that his divorce from Garner was in danger of being dismissed. Affleck looked happy and healthy during his visit to the facility. “This is part of his practice and how he maintains his personal health,” a source told Us at the time.“He’s been doing these classes for months. He’s also been spotted outside of meditation classes as well as meetings. He’s focused on being there for those in his life.”
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After the judge warned the pair that they need to get their paperwork in order in August 2018, a source told Us Weekly that “Jen wanted to give Ben the time and opportunity to work on his health and sobriety … she isn’t in a rush.” The duo may even need to refile for divorce if they wait much longer because a judge has the right to call it off. “Jen just isn’t willing to settle the custody issues until she’s 100 percent certain that he’s clean,” the source added. “She’ll wait for him to prove he is taking it very seriously.”
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A source confirmed to Us in August 2018 that Affleck and Shookus had gone their separate ways after more than a year of dating. The breakup announcement came on the heels of the Justice League actor stepping out with Playboy model Shauna Sexton. Shortly after photographs of the pair heading to Nobu for a dinner date circulated, the SNL producer deleted her Instagram account.
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Garner was “not pleased” about the news that Affleck began romancing Sexton. A confidant told Us exclusively in August 2018: “She’s also not surprised. Jen has come to expect this from Ben. She’s not going to get involved. She can’t make decisions for him.” Referencing the actor’s past fling with nanny Ouzounian, the insider added, “Jen realized a long time ago that she cannot fix Ben and that his problems are not hers to solve.”
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Us confirmed in August 2018 that Affleck checked back into rehab following an intervention from a sober coach and Garner, who drove him to the facility. “Ben has been struggling, and it got to a point where he wanted help and knew he needed help,” a source told Us Weekly at the time. A second source added that “his willingness to do so is a major step in the right direction.” According to a third insider, the actor’s “drinking was a driving force behind” his split with Shookus.
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According to a source, the 13 Going on 30 star was “well aware of what was going on" with Affleck’s struggle with alcoholism. “Ben told her he was done with Lindsay and she knew he was drinking again. Ben is not good at being alone,” the source explained. “She knew he was in a bad place recently and that she was going to have to intervene.”
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Despite being there for Affleck during his hard times, a source tells Us that Garner “doesn’t agree with a lot of” her ex’s decisions and only steps in when it involves their kids or his substance abuse issues. “She wants the best situation for them with their dad. Other than his sobriety issues, she’s not going to involve herself,” the source explained. “Jen just wants to protect the kids. She does her best to shield them.” A second source added that the actress “tends to find out about things” happening in The Town star’s life.
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Just weeks after an L.A. Superior Court judge threatened to dismiss the former couple's divorce case if they couldn't reach a settlement, Affleck and Garner reportedly resolved things out of court in mid-August, with TMZ reporting that final papers were set to be signed and filed upon Affleck's release from rehab. According to the website, the Peppermint actress and Justice League star, who did not have a prenup, agreed to joint custody of their three children.
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Despite the impending divorce and sobriety struggles, Garner has no plans to leave her estranged hubby behind. “After everything they’ve been through, she is going to continue to be there for him when he needs her,” an insider told Us in September 2018. “No matter the circumstances.” The Garner confidant added, “Jen just wants Ben to be the best father he can be. She wants to give their kids the best life possible.”
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Garner filed court documents to have her divorce from Affleck finalized on October 1, 2018. According to Los Angeles County Superior Court documents obtained by Us, she requested to have her divorce case pulled from the court system so that a private judge can accelerate the process. One day earlier, the amicable exes were spotted attending a church service together at the United Methodist Church in L.A.
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Affleck broke his silence following his third stint in rehab on October 4, 2018. “This week I completed a 40-day stay at a treatment center for alcohol addiction and remain in outpatient care,” he wrote in a statement posted on Instagram. “The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It’s given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others. Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family.” He continued: “So many people have reached out on social media and spoken about their own journeys with addiction. To those people, I want to say thank you. Your strength is inspiring and supporting me in ways I didn’t think was possible. It helps to know I am not alone. As I’ve had to remind myself, if you have a problem, getting help is a sign of courage, not weakness or failure. With acceptance and humility, I continue to avail myself with the help of so many people and I am grateful to all those who are there for me. I hope down the road I can offer an example to others who are struggling.” That same day, he was spotted out in L.A.'s Brentwood neighborhood after checking out of rehab.
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Affleck and Garner finalized their divorce on October 4, 2018, after meeting at her house to discuss the details. They agreed to share custody of their three children. A source told Us, “It was important to Jen that Ben be in a positive headspace [before finalizing the divorce.]” The private judge in their divorce case submitted the final documents in Los Angeles County Superior Court on November 7.
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