Jen Affleck And Zac Put Kids First For Daughter's 5th Birthday After Divorce Filing

Jen Affleck filed for divorce from Zac Affleck on November 3, just one day before their eldest daughter Nora turned 5 years old.

The unexpected split immediately shocked fans across social media and reality television circles.

Yet despite the legal separation, both parents quickly redirected their attention to their children.

The former couple showed a united commitment to celebrating their daughter's milestone birthday on Wednesday, November 4.

Court filings obtained by ABC News confirm that Jennifer Affleck, 27, submitted divorce paperwork in Utah.

The filing was made in the Fourth Judicial District Court in Provo, Utah.

According to TMZ, Jen also submitted a proposed parenting plan alongside her petition.

The specific legal details of that parenting arrangement currently remain private.

The timing came at an emotional crossroad for the young family.

Nora officially turned 5 just hours after the divorce petition reached the court docket.

Zac Affleck, 30, took to Instagram to publicly honor the special occasion.

He shared a video montage featuring sweet memories and special moments with his eldest daughter.

“Happy Birthday to my baby girl! You have the biggest heart and make everything feel a little extra magical. I love you,” Zac wrote.

Jen ensured Nora had a memorable, festive party at home despite the difficult circumstances.

The reality star decorated the house with pink and gold streamers, balloons, and a festive birthday banner.

Nora posed for pictures in a pink princess blouse paired with matching shorts.

The 5-year-old proudly stood next to a brand-new pink bicycle.

Wrapped presents in pink bags and gift boxes filled the background of the party area.

“I can’t believe she’s already 5,” Jen wrote over an image shared online.

CELEBRATING AMID MAJOR LIFE CHANGES

The birthday festivities arrived during an incredibly demanding period for both parents.

Jen is currently pregnant with the estranged couple's fourth child.

The pair announced the upcoming arrival of baby number four back in June.

They are already parents to 3-year-old son Lucas Lowell, who goes by Luca.

They also share daughter Penelope, whose birth was announced on July 2, 2025.

Penelope, affectionately called Penny, is just 16 months old.

With three young toddlers at home and a fourth on the way, the family's schedule remains packed.

Following the court filing, an insider shared an update on Zac’s mindset with People.

The source noted that Zac “is doing okay” in the wake of the news.

“He and Jen are staying focused on preparing for the baby and supporting their kids,” the source said.

That co-parenting focus mirrors Jen's previous dedication to her children through difficult trials.

In July, Jen openly discussed her mental health struggles on Instagram.

She revealed that she was battling severe prenatal depression during this current pregnancy.

“Prenatal depression came back this pregnancy. Only this time, it came back even heavier,” Jen wrote on July 23.

She admitted that several days in her first trimester dragged her into dark spaces that felt frightening.

She described the isolating nature of depression while managing major household transitions.

“Add moving to a new state, being pregnant, and trying to show up for your kids, and some days felt impossible,” she wrote.

She credited friends, family, and strangers for keeping her grounded during those trying months.

Jen noted that their presence showed her she was never truly walking alone through the dark.

“I don’t believe depression is beautiful. It’s painful, confusing, and exhausting,” she explained.

However, she shared her belief that God could still bring beauty and clarity out of such pain.

The experience pushed her to slow down and reflect on what mattered most in life.

She wrote that true strength often means asking for help rather than faking that everything is fine.

A HISTORY BUILT ON TELEVISION

Jen and Zac first connected through the Mormon dating app Mutual in 2018.

Jen was 18 years old when they met, while Zac was 21.

They moved quickly and tied the knot in June 2019, approximately one year after their initial introduction.

Jen found widespread internet fame by sharing content as a young Mormon mother.

She soon joined MomTok, a viral group of Utah-based lifestyle influencers.

In 2024, Hulu launched the hit docuseries The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

The show brought national attention to the dynamics of the Utah influencer circle.

Cameras captured serious tension and marital strain between Jen and Zac from the start.

Following the premiere of season 1, the couple underwent a temporary separation.

That brief split became a central narrative thread across season 2.

During that initial separation, Jen discovered she was pregnant with their third baby, Penelope.

The couple eventually reconciled and continued to film together for seasons 3, 4, and 5.

Their partnership also extended into other television ventures over the following years.

Jen competed on season 34 of Dancing with the Stars.

Zac regularly attended the live ballroom tapings, cheering for his wife from the audience and online.

In 2024, Jen shared an emotional reflection on their shared history via Instagram.

“We were just kids when we got married. Young, naive, and inexperienced, we truly had no idea what we were getting ourselves into,” she wrote.

She acknowledged that they did not always agree and still struggled to see eye to eye.