Custody of the former Brangelina’s six kids has been up in the air since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce; asking for full physical custody of her children. Now, TMZ reports the couple agreed to a temporary custody deal, giving Jolie full physical custody of their kids and Brad Pitt some visitation rights. The deal was reportedly drawn up by the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), as Pitt is being investigated for alleged child abuse.
An anonymous source reported Pitt to child services following an incident on the family’s private plane in which he was allegedly physically and verbally abusive to their 17-year-old son, Maddox, after drinking. Pitt reportedly took a voluntary drug test for the investigation, since it was also alleged he has drinking, weed, and anger problems.
TMZ reports DCFS gave the couple the option of either taking its deal or duking it out in court, and they took the deal. The temporary agreement states that Jolie gets full physical custody of the kids and Pitt gets visitation, with a therapist present at the first visit, who gets to decide whether or not he can have unmonitored visits afterwards. If that first visit doesn’t go well, the therapist can require they be present for Pitt’s future visits. Pitt will be also subject to random drug and alcohol testing, and Pitt and Jolie will each attend counseling separately and then with the kids for family counseling.
It’s apparently very temporary, only lasting three weeks. DCFS is pretty much in control of the situation, and though it can’t discuss its cases, it will presumably reevaluate the situation after those three weeks, potentially sending the former couple to court to work out their custody agreement. Pitt reportedly hasn’t seen his kids at all since Jolie filed for divorce.
Both actors made statements following the divorce filing saying their focus was on the kids, so it makes sense that they came to an agreement. Pitt said, “I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well being of our kids. I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.” Jolie’s lawyer said, “Angelina will always do what’s in the best interest of taking care of her family. She appreciates everyone’s understanding of their need for privacy at this time.”
Brangelina signed a prenup upon marrying that makes splitting their property simple, but who gets custody of the kids is already a messy fight.
Original by @laurenholter
