Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, both 44, officially filed for divorce on Thursday, TMZ reports.
The news comes nearly two years after the couple first announced their shock split, just one day after their ten year anniversary.
Suggesting a coordinated move to end their union amicably, the actors lodged mirror-image paperwork and chose to file “in propria persona” — meaning without the need of an attorney.
The pair are seeking joint legal and physical custody of their three children, Violet, 11, Seraphina, eight, and Samuel, five.
While the division of property and spousal support are yet to be determined, the former couple have agreed to retain any earnings made since their separation.
Interestingly, the documents have failed to provide a specific date of separation which could affect the outcome of their settlement. Bennifer, as they become known during happier times, broke the news of their split on June 30, 2015.
The couple’s divorce has been dubbed as “friendly” and is being compared to that of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, who “consciously uncoupled” without complication in 2014.
WATCH: Jennifer Garner gets real about her relationship with Ben Affleck. Post continues…
Speaking with People magazine, an insider explained that the once-golden couple felt it was simply time to end their union and will continue to put their children first.
“They always planned to divorce despite what people said. If you look at their first statement it says divorce not separate. They just did it the way they wanted to and did what was best for their kids. There was no catalyst, it was just time. Nothing has changed, they are and still will be putting their kids first,” said the source.
“They are figuring out what to do about their future living arrangements,” the source says. “For now, they are all living together. One thing they agree on — the kids will stay at the family house. Jen and Ben will focus on making things as smoothly as possible for the kids. It’s all about what’s best for them,” another insider told the publication.
Jen and Ben pictured just two months before their split was announced.
Bennifer have always remained courteous toward one another for the sake of their children – Violet, Seraphina and Sam.
A month after the duo publicly broke news of their split, explosive reports accused Ben of having an affair with the children’s nanny, Christine Ouzounian.
Jen was quick to reveal that the couple’s nanny – then 28 – was not solely responsible for the demise of their marriage.
“We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny,” she told Vanity Fair.
The actors were once the golden couple of Hollywood.
“She had nothing to do with our decision to divorce. She was not a part of the equation. Bad judgment? Yes.”
At the time, Ben labelled the report “garbage”.
“He’s still the only person who really knows the truth about things. And I’m still the only person that knows some of his truths,” Jen said candidly.
“It was a real marriage. It wasn’t for the cameras. And it was a huge priority for me to stay in it. And that did not work.”
We wish Ben and Jen all the very best as they begin this new chapter in their lives.
