After months of speculation that all’s not well in Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s marriage, the couple has announced plans to divorce. They have three children together ranging from ages 3 to 9.
A source said that the things have been very challenging for the last several months between the soon to be ex-husband and wife, who have been dodging split rumors for some time, E! Online reported.
The Daredevil co-stars, who fell in love on set of the 2003 flick and married in 2005, are parents to kids Violet, 9, Seraphina, 6, and Samuel, 3. And it’s their kids, the insider says, they’re going to remain amicable for.
The insider added that until today, they were together because of the kids, but the two have been living separate lives and preparing for this for a long time.In May last year, reports emerged that the marriage was in trouble. The couple had not been spotted together for some time and Affleck was often seen in Las Vegas, gambling at high-stakes poker games. On Garner’s birthday that year, he was seen in Canada without his wife or wedding ring. Garner later visted Boston, Affleck’s home town, but without him.
Radar Online suggested that Garner had reached the breaking point after years of marriage problems. “Often, when Ben and Jen have a problem, they just agree to ride it out and be miserable together until they can get some time apart,” an insider told the website.
A second source added that their split had nothing to do with their anniversary on June 29, saying the timing was simply a coincidence and in no way had to do with money reasons.
It has been revealed that this is not a decision they came to lightly as the duo has in fact been in therapy working on their marriage for two years. They have also been in a trial separation for 10 months, during which time the 42-year-old actor has been staying at hotels.
The split is “not contentious” as they will be co-parenting, a source said, adding that the Gone Girl star will be living on their property in a different building.
The insider noted that the duo, whose divorce will be handled by a mediator, not in court, grew apart. They were great parents together but they were not always on the same page.
