Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s divorce settlement took years to finally complete.
HIGHLIGHTS
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s divorce was amicable, but it took years to finalize due to custody agreement details for their twins.
The couple prioritized protecting their children’s privacy and ensured they were not exposed to unwanted publicity.
Despite their divorce, Lopez and Anthony have maintained a strong co-parenting relationship and remain supportive of each other.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony married in 2004 in a small, secret ceremony. The pair were together for seven years and appeared to be a perfect match. They welcomed twins Max and Emme, born in 2008, and seemed happy together.
In 2011, Lopez and Anthony publicly announced their separation in a joint statement. Although A-list couple split, they weren’t officially divorced until years after they released the joint announcement. They seemed like a great match, but the couple didn’t work out. And though it wasn’t complex, Lopez’s settlement with Anthony took years to finalize for a specific reason.
Jennifer Lopez And Marc Anthony Announced Their Divorce In 2011, But Was Finalized In 2014
After seven years of marriage, the couple announced in 2011 they’d reached an “amicable conclusion” and announced their separation in a joint statement.
“We have decided to end our marriage. This was a very difficult decision. We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters. It is a painful time for all involved, and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time,” per People.
Though matters weren’t complex because the couple wanted to work together and had an amicable relationship, it still took a lengthy amount of time for Lopez and Anthony to finalize their settlement. Their divorce was officially finalized in 2014, years after they first announced their decision to separate.
Jennifer Lopez And Marc Anthony’s Custody Agreement Took Years To Finalize
It took years for Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony to finalize their settlement, although it wasn’t complicated. The pair reportedly took the time to work out details involving the custody agreement for their twins, Max and Emme, three years old when the couple split. It was also decided neither party would pay spousal nor child support. This was better for Anthony, who already paid child support.
According to People, one inside source claimed Lopez and the Vivir Mi Vida singer separated “after months of nonstop arguing,” adding “Marc and Jennifer decided it’s best to go their separate ways for the sake of their two kids.”
The most difficult resolutions involved the couple’s children, Max and Emme, and deciding “how the co-parenting would work going forward.”
The couple agreed to share custody. Lopez was given primary custody, and Anthony would care for them seven days out of each month. To protect the twins from unwelcome attention, the singers agreed the kids “are not exposed to unwanted publicity.”
It was also decided they would “split custody of the children on school vacations, birthdays, holidays including Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween,” according to court documents per People.
The settlement helped ensure the children wouldn’t be unnecessarily pushed into public view. The singers wanted to protect their children’s private lives. The judgment stated both of them acknowledged “that exposing their children to public spectacle and failing to shield the children from aggressive news organizations, photographers, etc. is not the children’s best interest,” per The Hollywood Reporter.
Jennifer Lopez And Marc Anthony Have A Strong Relationship As Co-Parents
Since divorcing, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have remained on good terms, and supportive as co-parents. Anthony revealed the couple made the decision to separate together. “I’ll tell you that it wasn’t something sensationalistic happening. It was a realization on both our parts. So, you know, it wasn’t shocking. These things happen. It was a decision we made jointly.”
He said about his bond with Lopez, “We’re going to be in each other’s lives for many, many, many years, and I’m glad that our friendship is that strong…What would make it difficult is if we didn’t get along,” per Business Insider.
In 2017, the Waiting For Tonight singer discussed her relationship with Anthony, remarking they would always be “great friends”, connected as co-parents.
“I think we’re really good the way we are. Honestly, we’re always gonna be great friends. I’m always gonna be there for him; he’s always gonna be there for me. We share something very special in the kids, and we know that. We’re there for them, and that’s the main thing,” Lopez said, per People.
During a 2017 interview on Spotify’s ¡Viva Latino! podcast, the Hustlers actress said teaming up creatively with Anthony also “repaired” their bond.
“It actually kind of repaired certain parts of our relationship that had been fractured from our marriage and our divorce, and it kind of made us friends again. Because when we first started working together, it’s how we met…we met working. And so we remembered that, like, oh right, we connect on this level of music.”
Both have remarried since their divorce. Lopez married her ex, Ben Affleck, in 2022, blending their families. Anthony had a star-studded wedding with Nadia Ferreira.
