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Brad Pitt Wins Joint Custody Of His Kids After Five-Year Battle With Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt Wins Joint Custody Of His Kids After Five-Year Battle With Angelina Jolie

A judge ruled in favour of the 57-year-old and noted Ms Jolie's assertions 'lacked credibility in many important areas'.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Brad Pitt has been granted joint custody of five of his six children after a lengthy battle with ex-wife Angelina Jolie.

The court proceedings were closed, so there is very little known about the intricacies of the case.

But local media report the two Hollywood stars were locked in a bitter feud over whether to let Brad see his children more regularly.

It became so heated that the former couple hired a private judge, John Ouderkirk, to oversee the case.

After months of witness testimony, which included child services professionals who interviewed the Jolie-Pitt children, the decision was made to allow the 57-year-old joint custody.

PA

The ruling affects how Brad interacts with Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14, and 12-year-old twins, Vivienne and Knox.

Their oldest child, Maddox, is 19 years old and therefore isn't subject to any legal ruling regarding custody.

A source close to the case told Yahoo: "[Brad] has always been seeking the opportunity to have more time with his children and prioritised their wellbeing. The judge ruled in his favour and significantly modified the customary order to significantly increase his time with the kids."

A separate source indicated to Page Six that the battle might not be over, adding: "Joint custody is not the issue that Angelina objects to. There were other issues of concern, but the court proceedings are closed and sealed."

None of the children themselves gave testimony during the court process, which is something Angelina had a problem with.

Last year, she tried to disqualify Ouderkirk from the case and this week she made a filing that brutally criticised his handling of their situation.

PA

According to the Associated Press, the filing said: "Judge Ouderkirk denied Ms. Jolie a fair trial, improperly excluding her evidence relevant to the children's health, safety, and welfare, evidence critical to making her case."

She cited a California code that says a child over the age of 14 should be allowed to give testimony if they wish.

Ms Jolie tried to argue the judge 'refused to hear the minor teenagers' input as to their experiences, needs, or wishes as to their custody fate'.

However, her ex-partner Brad Pitt countered that allegation.

He noted the judge said Ms Jolie's assertions 'lacked credibility in many important areas, and the existing custody order between the parties must be modified, per Mr. Pitt's request, in the best interests of the children'.

Brad and Angelina married in August 2014 after meeting on the set of the 2005 film Mr and Mrs Smith. They announced their separation in 2016 and were declared legally single in 2019.

Their divorce is yet to be finalised.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt