‘Mr and Mrs Smith’: Angelina and Brad in ‘bitter endgame’ phase over kids

The protracted legal battle between Mr and Mrs Smith stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt has reached the “bitter endgame” phase as they fight over child custody. The reason? Angelina intends to prove domestic violence claims against Brad by using video recordings and testimonies from their six children.

ANGELINA AND BRAD CAUGHT UP IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLAIMS

Angelina Jolie’s latest memorandum filed to court was titled “‘Offer of proof and authority in support thereof re: Testimony regarding domestic violence.” Although the memorandum was not for public view, the title clearly says it all. 

The alleged violence was in relation to an incident said to have occurred aboard a private plane the family took from Paris, France, to Minnesota in the US on 14 September 2016. The alleged incident reportedly prompted the couple’s 2016 split, according to Daily Mail. 

Five days after the alleged incident, Angelina Jolie announced that she and Brad Pitt were separating for “the health of the family”. She filed for divorce and the legal proceedings have been dragging on ever since.

CUSTODY OF ANGELINA AND BRAD’S KIDS

Angelina Jolie asked for full custody of the six children the couple share, three of whom are adopted. Brad Pitt, however demanded a 50/50 split. The issue is due to go to court in 2021.

Although Angelina and Brad’s custody arrangements have not yet been finalised, Brad’s relationship with his children have taken strain. Their eldest adopted son, Maddox is said to no longer use Pitt as his last name and wants to get it legally changed. 

“The role of Maddox, then 15, was widely raised. One source said that Pitt ‘attacked’ Maddox. Others said that Pitt and Miss Jolie argued, and Maddox jumped in to defend her verbally. Pitt then supposedly ‘lunged’ at the boy,” the Daily Mail reported.

EVIDENCE FROM THE ‘MINOR’ CHILDREN

Angelina Jolie, centre, with daughter Zahara and son Maddox in Tokyo, Japan, in October 2019. Image: Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney

Angelina Jolie’s lawyers also filed a memorandum titled “proof and support under seal: Re: Testimony of minor children”. However, both Angelina and Brad have to consent to minor children giving evidence. It is likely that Brad will decline this as he reportedly wants to keep their children out of the spotlight as much as possible.

Of the six children, Maddox, 19, is the only adult. Therefore, the evidence from minor children would cover the other five children — Pax,17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh,14, and twins Knox and Vivenne,12.

BRAD PITT REPORTEDLY ‘HEARTBROKEN’

Brad Pitt is reportedly heartbroken and devastated about the leaked filing.

“Brad is heartbroken that Angelina has gone that route. There’s a lot of emotion left after their marriage,” a source close to Brad Pitt told Page Six. 

“He has taken responsibility for his actions and owned up to his past issues, he’s stopped drinking. The marriage was very passionate and toxic at times and — like all couples — they had fights, but also shared many good times together,” the source said.

“Brad and his camp have never attacked Angelina. But his camp feels this leak was calculated to sway opinion ahead of the conclusion of their trial. Brad feels like he’s being more and more isolated from his children, and he’s devastated about it,” the source said.

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