FINAL BITTER SHOWDOWN FOR THE JOLIE-PITTS

From the start, custody of their six children has been the central battleground in Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s explosive divorce drama. Initially, Angelina had primary access to the children, with Brad only allowed to see them when supervised by a courtappointed therapist. But fast-forward two years and, if anything, it’s Angelina’s parenting that’s being called into question.

The turnaround has come after the shocking moment earlier this summer when a judge stated that Angelina could lose primary custody of Pax, 14, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and 10-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox (the court is ruling that Maddox, 16, is old enough to make his own decision) if she continued to limit their time with Brad, 54. The judge added that ‘not having a relationship with their father is harmful to them’.

Angelina’s standing in the bitter negotiations became yet more precarious last week, when it emerged that she has been ordered to give Brad more visitation rights. A judge declared that he should see the children every other day until the pair broker a formal custody agreement.

This week, a review hearing is scheduled to determine a long-term custody plan while Brad and Angelina finalise their divorce. According to US website The Blast, ‘ The past few months will be extremely interesting for the court to review, especially since Jolie has already been put on notice that if the children “remain closed down to their father”, it could result in a reduction of custody.’ The move, according to a source, has effectively placed Angelina’s parenting over the last few months on trial. Under review will be the judge’s order for Angelina to give Brad the kids’ phone numbers and stop monitoring their conversations with him.

As Grazia was going to press, it was widely reported that Brad had all but secured at least joint custody – something Angelina has always viewed as a disaster. According to US Weekly, ‘Angelina sees the writing on the wall; joint custody is a done deal, and there’s nothing she can do to stop it.’

‘Of course Ange is freaking out,’ said an insider. ‘She knows the judge has been ruling in Brad’s favour since she tried to play hardball. Everything she’s done over the last two years has been about getting full custody; she’ll be devastated that it’s come to this.’ Brad is even said to be considering whether to push to obtain full custody himself, according to new sources.

‘Brad won’t hesitate to fight dirty if he has to,’ an insider revealed. ‘But the way he sees it, he’s fully equipped to look after the kids full-time and figures it’s only reasonable, given the time he’s missed with them during this horrific ordeal. His homes in California [a Los Feliz mansion and Santa Barbara beach retreat] are all set up and ready for the kids, so the transition would be seamless. Until then, he is focused on keeping his upper hand in this divorce; no one can disagree that Angelina has lost her footing.’

So what are Brad’s chances? ‘Brad’s case is unique in that the judge has previously ordered that, if Angelina continues to interfere with his custodial time, he will grant custody to Brad,’ said La-based lawyer Kelly Chang Rickert. ‘ The absolute worst way to get custody is to show the other parent is unfit. The best way is to show that it is in the children’s best interests to share custody and have frequent and

continuing contact with both parents.’

Nonetheless, those closest to Angelina insist the actress will try everything in her power to hold on to the kids. ‘If he pushes for full custody she’ll fight him with everything she’s got, but it will cost her an absolute fortune and her cash flow is extremely tight at the moment because of how long this divorce is running on for,’ added a source. ‘She’s worried he’ll come after her all guns blazing and she’ll find it hard to counter. She has always been clear on one thing: that she wants the kids to stay with her. This is her worst nightmare coming true.’