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.
