Brad Pitt wins joint custody of children, but Angelina Jolie wants judge dismissed and decision changed
After months of court hearings with his ex Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt officially won joint custody of their children. That as it is, should have ideally marked the end of their long and bitter legal battle, but it doesn't look like Brangelina's split is even close to being settled. New paperwork filed by Pitt might prove that their differences aren't sorted out. Jolie appealed to have the judge, John Ouderkirk disqualified from their case and his decision overturned. She also sought a temporary block on proceedings while she tries with further legal action.
For as long as anyone can remember Pitt and Jolie were Hollywood's power couple. Then they had a fallout that has reached uncomfortable heights, laid bare by public scrutiny and legal tensions. It was recently reported that a judge handed Pitt major victory in the couple's dispute, agreeing to give him 50/50 custody of his children with Jolie after she blocked access claiming he had been abusive to their then 15-year-old son Maddox on a flight.
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The pair are parents to 19-year-old Maddox, who was not included in the ruling as per laws, 17-year-old Pax, 16-year-old Zahara, 15-year-old Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12. Ever since their divorce in 2016, Jolie and Pitt have been at loggerheads, embroiled in a bitter separation battle. Jolie continued to bid for retaining custody of their children following allegations that Pitt was abusive to Maddox during a private jet flight from France to the US.
According to a report in The Sun, new documents show that Pitt thinks her antics would harm their children. In a statement from his lawyers, he says, "Any delay would only work grave harm upon the children, who will be further denied permanence and stability." It adds that allowing the proceedings to be delayed would be "wholly inappropriate".
But Judge Ouderkirk reportedly ruled that he did not believe the allegations about Pitt's abusive behavior and ordered him to be given access again, split the custody 50/50 with his ex. She asserted in a court filing that her kids’ testimony is “critical” and “relevant to the children’s health, safety and welfare" but the judge decided not to let their children under 18 testify. And that is how, after five long years of grueling and legal tension, Pitt got the shared custody and equal rights of his children. However, not Maddock since he is 19-years-old
For the longest time, Jolie was aiming for sole custody as against shared custody and presenting numerous witnesses to prove her ex-husband's alleged history of domestic violence. In the months preceding the verdict, authorities saw months of witness testimony from child services experts and therapists. However, the judge claimed that Jolie’s testimony "lacked credibility in many important areas". In a lengthy ruling, the judge added, "The existing custody order must be modified in the best interests of the children."
According to the report carried in the publication, sources reveal that Pitt was delighted to be able to spend more time with his kids after years of battling to see them.