Exactly two years after saying “I do,” Jennifer Lopez officially declared “I don't” by filing divorce papers from Ben Affleck. in Los Angeles County Superior Court on August 20. According to DOCUMENTS obtained by TMZ, Lopez dropped her claim for spousal support and asked that Affleck be denied the same.

We won't dive into the personal reasons they broke up, but it's worth noting that an insider said NBC News that the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement. This means that any money earned by Affleck or Lopez since their marriage in July 2022 is community property. This may or may not be a point of contention in the proceedings, but it serves as a good reminder to anyone entering into a business partnership that, as unsavory as it may seem at the moment, it is better to have your own law. basics covered before you officially get started.

Related: Jennifer Lopez thinks Latino entrepreneurs are underrated

“You might think a handshake will do, but that won't cut it, especially if there's disagreement or one party wants to leave,” series founder Mike Kappel wrote for. entrepreneur. Kappel strongly suggests meeting with an attorney and formalizing one partnership agreement which stipulates the following:

• How will each partner be compensated and how often.
• Roles and responsibilities of each partner.
• Your exit strategy if one or more parties want to leave the partnership.
• What happens if one partner dies?

These are not pleasant scenarios, and most partnerships begin with enthusiasm and excitement. But circumstances change and life can be unpredictable.

“As your business changes, your roles may change. You may want to bring on more partners or change the terms at some point. It's a good idea to periodically take a fresh look and make sure the agreement is updated.” writes Kappel. “A partnership can be a great way to start your business. With the right personalities, a sense of humor, careful planning and a little luck, your partnership can be a huge success.”