Inside Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's Split: Garner's Role in their relationship

Before Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez finalized their divorce in August, Jennifer Garner, Affleck's ex-wife, reportedly encouraged him to work on his marriage. A source informed Page Six that Garner was supportive of their relationship and urged Affleck to make an effort to resolve their issues before opting for divorce. Garner, who shares three children with Affleck, divorced him in 2015 after a decade of marriage.

According to the insider, “When things started getting rocky between Ben and Jennifer [Lopez], Jen was very supportive of their relationship and encouraged Ben to work on their marriage.” The source also noted that Garner had developed a friendly rapport with Lopez, maintaining regular communication. However, it was reported that Affleck has not been in touch with Lopez recently, and Garner has no issues with her.

Ultimately, despite Garner's encouragement, Lopez filed for divorce on the couple's second wedding anniversary. Following the split, Affleck spent Thanksgiving with Garner and their children—Violet, 18; Seraphina, 15; and Samuel, 12. He expressed feeling “blessed” to be surrounded by them while Lopez spent the holiday alone.

The former couple participated in charitable activities together, distributing meals to 2,000 homeless individuals through the Midnight Mission before enjoying a family feast at Garner’s home in Brentwood, California. A source stated that even after their separation, Affleck finds comfort in his relationship with Garner due to their shared history and co-parenting responsibilities.

As they navigate their new paths post-divorce, both Affleck and Lopez are focusing on their individual lives. While Affleck cherishes his time with his children and ex-wife, Lopez has been reflecting on her personal growth following the separation.