Despite splitting almost four years ago, Brad and Ange are still battling over the kids
Will these two ever reach a compromise?
They may have split almost four years ago, but Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are still stuck in a legal battle over their children, and their intense custody case ended up back in court last week. While the details remain private, it has been reported that a child custody evaluation has been filed – something requested by a judge in order to look at the mental health and parenting practices of both parents.
And an insider tells us that the kids are feeling completely stuck in the middle between their warring parents. “This case won’t be resolved until one of them backs down or they agree to a compromise – but that’s as unlikely now as it’s ever been,” says the insider. “Angelina is insisting she needs to move abroad and that Brad’s not paying enough support. He’s saying no to her demands, and they have total contempt for one another. The kids are bewildered and confused as to why their parents can’t be nice to each other, and it’s just so heartbreaking at this point for everyone involved.”
The couple have six children – Maddox, 18, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and 11-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox. As
Maddox is 18, he’s not considered in the custody case, which is attempting to determine how much time each parent will get with their kids, as well as what will be paid in child support.
“Brad and Angelina now communicate via lawyers, who are submitting reports to the court because they haven’t managed to work things out in mediation,” our source says. “There are so many differences of opinion, especially over where to live and how long Brad’s allowed with them. He feels strongly that LA is their home base, whereas Angelina has stated publicly that she wants to pursue a new life abroad.”
Amid the custody battle, Angelina, 44, recently spoke out about two of their daughters – Zahara and Shiloh – undergoing surgery. Writing for International Women’s Day, she said, “I have spent the last two months in and out of surgeries with my eldest daughter, and days ago, watched her younger sister go under the knife for a hip surgery.”
Their daughters’ health was said to be the reason for Brad’s lastminute no-show at the Baftas last month. While accepting his Oscar in LA a week later, he said, “This is for my kids, who colour everything I do. I adore you.” ■