Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner reportedly separated six months ago.

The couple - who have children Violet, nine, Seraphina, six, and Samuel, three, together - announced yesterday (30.06.15) they are to divorce after 10 years of marriage and insiders say they want a ''quick and easy'' end to their union.

A source told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: ''This isn't going to end up in a dramatic court case, they are trying to resolve it as quickly and easily as possible.

''Ben and Jennifer have been separated for more than six months. They have been seeing counselors for years. The situation is that people change and they grow apart.''

Though Ben, 42, has been staying in hotels in recent months, he is planning to live on the property of their Brentwood marital home to stay close to the kids, but he will not share the main house with the 43-year-old actress.

The source added: ''They plan to share custody and co-parent their kids.''

And the former couple - who met on the set of 2003 movie 'Daredevil' - are hoping the decision to separate will be the ''best thing'' for their family.

A source told Us Weekly magazine: ''They've been married for a long time and tried to make it work for many years.

''They eventually realised this is the best thing to do for their family. They don't want it to be contentious. A lot of people say that but they are doing things to ensure that it won't be. ''There is a lot of love there but, they are doing what is best for everybody.''