Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's divorce filing reveals a power play, but an expert warns that "gloves might come off."

Jennifer Lopez quietly filed for divorce from her estranged husband Ben Affleck, as per documents obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital.

On Tuesday, Jenny From the Block filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court without the help of a lawyer, stating April 26 as the date of separation, according to People magazine.

Lopez's decision to file for divorce without an attorney could raise concerns, but celebrity divorce attorney Christopher Melcher, a partner at Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLP, stated that Lopez is not acting without legal representation.

If there is no dispute, the paperwork for filing a divorce case can be processed without the need for an attorney of record, according to Melcher.

"Jennifer took the lead in getting this done as she filed first."

In 2022, Affleck and Lopez got married without a prenuptial agreement, but Melcher was reluctant to make a decision on dividing their assets.

No conclusions should be reached about the existence or non-existence of a prenup because Jennifer was not required to disclose whether she entered into a premarital agreement with Ben on the court forms.

A premarital agreement is typically expected for a couple like this.

"Despite their marriage lasting only two years, the parties' significant wealth makes a divorce complex. They can maintain privacy by agreeing on all aspects of their split."

"Jennifer filed first, which shows that she is taking the lead in getting this done."  — Christopher Melcher

Kirker Davis LLP's founding partner, Holly Davis, thinks Lopez is aiming for a "drama-free divorce" by filing quietly.

""If we don't see finalization soon, it might indicate that there is some difficulty reaching amicable agreements and that the gloves might come off," Davis said."

In 2022, Affleck, 52, and Lopez, 55, exchanged vows during a surprise wedding in Las Vegas. A month later, the newlyweds celebrated their union with a backyard ceremony at the $8 million Georgia mansion that Affleck purchased for the couple when they first started dating 20 years ago.

On the second anniversary of their Georgia wedding, Lopez filed divorce documents, possibly indicating the end of their relationship.

"They are moving slowly and deliberately, and the slow pace seems to indicate extreme caution and sensitivity on both Ben and Jen’s part." — Holly Davis

"Marilyn Chinitz, a partner at Blank Rome, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that her timing was intentional. "I think that's a real statement," she said. "I'm done. I'm ready to move on." Chinitz believes that the company suffered greatly during the several months leading up to this moment, and she suspects that the decision to move on was made after careful consideration."

Chinitz believed that the former couple had a mediator who helped them resolve their issues, so the filing was more of an administrative task.

She's intelligent enough to understand that she requires guidance, and I believe they've already resolved the issue," she stated. "We must acknowledge their accomplishments. They've both achieved great success and amassed significant wealth. They both have children from previous marriages that they wish to safeguard. We are aware that their offspring, all of them, have significantly impacted their lives.

"I believe that they prioritized their children and avoided additional drama, so they likely worked with a mediator to resolve the issue."

"We've got to give them credit. They're both hugely successful. They've both made a lot of money. They both have children from prior marriages who they want to protect." — Marilyn Chinitz

Lopez's brand may have already suffered from months of relationship rumors with her fourth husband, according to brand expert Doug Eldridge.

According to Eldridge, the discussion included Lopez's control over her image management, but it was likely more like the "duck theory." On the surface, Lopez appeared relaxed and collected, but beneath the surface, she was actively working to move things forward while maintaining the illusion of ease.

Affleck's marital discord became a walking meme, and Lopez lost the marital narrative soon after the horse left the stable, according to Eldridge.

Lopez, who is known for her short fuse and hot temper, is far less tolerant of anything that undercuts her marketability. While many find it funny, the litany of paparazzi shots capturing Affleck's misery seemed oddly authentic, while the staged event photos looked more like something from Olan Mills in the '80s - everybody saw them, nobody liked them.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Larry FInk contributed to this report