Ex- Hollywood Couple, Angelina Jolie and Pitt Reach Child Custody Agreement

Former Hollywood couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a final agreement over the custody of their six children, after more than two years of acrimonious negotiation.

“A custody arrangement was agreed to, weeks ago, and has been signed by both parties and the judge. The agreement, which is based on the recommendations of the child custody evaluator, eliminates the need for a trial. The filing and details of the agreement are confidential to protect the best interests of the children” Jolie’s lawyer Samantha Bley DeJean said in a statement.

Jolie and Pitt, once one of Hollywood’s most glamorous couples, separated in September 2016 after a more than 10-year romance and two-year marriage. Jolie, who filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, had been seeking primary custody of their six children, three of whom are the couple’s biological children and three of whom are adopted.

Friday’s statement did not say how custody would be divided, and Jolie’s spokesperson declined to give details. However, a trial date in the custody case had been tentatively set for December 4 before a private judge in Los Angeles.

The 2016 divorce filing triggered a bitter custody dispute during which Pitt was investigated and cleared of child abuse, and both sides accused each other of trying to manipulate media coverage in their favour. The couple have yet to reach a final divorce settlement.

Pitt, 54, and Jolie, 43, began dating in late 2005 and married in 2014. They are parents to Maddox, 17, Pax, 15, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and 10-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.