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Brad Pitt Wins Custody Battle

By Lisa M. Schaffer, Esq. on August 20, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

In the ongoing saga of uncoupling Brangelina, Brad Pitt won a key visitation battle. A judge ruled that Angelina Jolie must allow Pitt visitation with their six kids: four hours of custody every other school day, and 12 hours every other non-school day. Hopefully those children travel light because that is a lot of back-and-forth action on a daily basis. Jolie has been rumored to be withholding the kids from Pitt, and the judge declared he will not sign off on a permanent arrangement until Pitt and his children have time together.

Jolie Claims Pitt Is a No-Good Deadbeat Dad

In case you unplugged from all things Hollywood during the off-season, Jolie had numerous issues with Pitt over the last few months. In June, a judge declared that Jolie was harmfully interfering in Pitt's relationship with their children, and told Jolie that she risked her custody with them if she continued. He also instituted a strict cell phone policy: Pitt must be able to call and text with his children at will, without Jolie monitoring the communications.

A custody schedule was also laid-out at that time, though way too intricate to bother with here. But there was one interesting caveat: a child psychologist had to be present for the 10 days Pitt had custody in London. On August 7, Jolie filed papers with the court, claiming Pitt was a deadbeat dad and had been welshing on child-support payments, even though Pitt claimed he had paid her $1.3 million and given her an $8 million loan to buy a house. It's hard to drum up sympathy here for anyone other than the children.

This Divorce Is Anything but Typical

If your gut tells you that this visitation schedule is crazy, you're right. According to a popular website that lists 22 Common Visitation Schedule Examples, 12 hours on, 12 hours off fails to appear. Shocking! Plans should be devised on what is in the best interest of the children. Granted, each of the Jolie-Pitt children have been raised to have their own distinct personality, but a 12/12 schedule seems to be more about the parents interests than the kids.

Pitt's victory could be short-lived. Their next court date is scheduled for August 21st.

If you are contemplating divorce proceedings, or if you feel the need to re-open your visitation and/or custody agreement, contact a local divorce attorney, who can meet with you to discuss your situation and recommend best courses of action.

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