Angelina Jolie 'feels court let her down' when her children were not allowed to testify in case with Brad Pitt that led to him being awarded joint custody
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- Published on Friday, 28 May 2021 06:11
- Written by Daily mail
Angelina Jolie suffered a major blow in her custody battle with her ex-husband Brad Pitt after he was granted joint custody of their children on Wednesday. Now sources close to the 45-year-old actress and humanitarian are sharing she feels let down by the courts that did not allow her children to testify at the custody hearings. One person close to her claimed she did not object to the custody decision, but to a lack of 'care for her family,' according to Page Six. It was added the star did not feel the court 'took into account the full set of issues that affect her family.' 'The custody schedule was always determined by the court,' the source explained. 'It’s sad that Brad’s people are gloating about a potential win when beating a system that exists to protect families and children from issues that harm their well-being is not something to brag about.' They stressed that Jolie wasn't simply trying to deprive Pitt, 57, of time with his children.'The heart of this dispute has not been about keeping the children apart from their father, it’s been Angelina asking for care for her family,' they continued. 'Her motivations have never been to deny the children a relationship with their father.' Complicating the court battle between the exes was Jolie's submission in court of evidence of allegedly domestic abuse by Pitt, which The Blast reported she planned to introduce back in March.The alleged evidence was recently submitted, but it remains under seal and its exact contents are unknown. The Maleficent star is reportedly most upset over Judge John Ouderkirk's decision to not allow her and her six to children testify in the custody hearings. 'This system is at fault, and Angelina is focused on fighting a system that does not take into account the full set of issues that affect her family and other families in this situation,' the source continued. 'She’s working hard to ensure that other families don’t go through her experience.' Judge Ouderkirk's decision may only be temporary, as last year Jolie launched a bid with an appeals court to have him taken off the case because he allegedly failed to disclose business interests he shared with Pitt. The judge previously officiated the couple's wedding in 2014.On Thursday, The Sun reported that Brad's lawyers had made a filing opposing any delay in the joint custody decision.'Any delay would only work grave harm upon the children, who will be further denied permanence and stability,' they wrote in response to her attempts to block the proceedings.The attorneys added that allowing for a delay would be 'wholly inappropriate.' Despite Jolie's fury over Ouderkirk's handling of the custody case, other individuals with knowledge of the custody case contended that the judge made an informed decision based on hours of hearings with experts, including therapists and child service professionals, who had spoken to Pitt and Jolie's children. Another insider familiar with the couple's divorce said Pitt's goal was always 'just to spend more time with his children, to make sure they’re healthy, happy and cared for.' In his ruling, the judge wrote that Jolie's statements 'lacked credibility in many important areas.'He add ed: 'The existing custody order must be modified in the best interests of the children.'However, he's reserving any celebration over the joint custody ruling in case it's overturned and Ouderkirk is taken off the case.'The process isn’t over, and every step of the way Angie has resorted to extreme tactics to misrepresent her story [to the media] and to destroy anyone who goes against her — therapists, experts and even the judge,' the source claimed. 'And at the end of the day, Angie was found not to be credible by all of these people.' The insider also referenced reports that the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actor had been involved in a dispute on a private jet with his son Maddox, who was 15 at the time.'She thought there would be charges brought against Brad after the plane incident, she dropped her lawyer Laura Wasser and claimed that Brad owed her millions in support, which was untrue,' they claimed.They added that Jolie has made her children 'tools through the [court] process.' The Academy Award winner has been known to bring all of her children to her red carpet premieres in the past, and even posed with the children in intimate photos taken at their LA home for British Vogue.
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source : Daily mail 
'He's so relieved': Brad Pitt scores huge victory in war with Angelina Jolie as he wins joint custody of their children after judge found actress' testimony 'lacked credibility'
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- Published on Thursday, 27 May 2021 06:45
- Written by Daily mail
Brad Pitt was granted joint custody of his children with Angelina Jolie following a lengthy court battle.The 57-year-old actor has been fighting in the court system for nearly five years to obtain equal rights to the six kids he shares with his ex-wife.A source told DailyMail.com: 'He's so relieved. His only intention is to spend more time with the kids.'Jolie and Pitt are parents to six kids, five of them minors: Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14 and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12.After months of testimony from witnesses and child services professionals who interviewed their children, Judge John Ouderkirk reportedly made his thoughts clear on the ruling, according to Page Six.'There was a significant change made in the custody agreements based on an extremely detailed decision made by the judge,' a source said. 'Brad was just trying to have more time with his kids — and it has been clear that Angie has done everything possible to prevent this.' The insider added: 'This trial lasted for several months and there were a f**k ton of witnesses, experts, therapists and other people who have been with the kids and around them, and the decision was based on this.'The 45-year-old actress will reportedly continue her legal fight and said the judge's ruling was more of a 'tentative decision.' 'Joint custody is not the issue that Angelina objects to, there were other issues of concern, but the court proceedings are closed and sealed,' the source said. The source added: 'There was a safety order surrounding the previous custody arrangements, that is public, and the kids schedule has been set under the jurisdiction of the division of family services for over three years.' Angelina attempted to dismiss the private judge they had hired to rule over the case in documents submitted to California's Second District Court of Appeals on Monday. Jolie's lawyers argued the judge 'has failed to adequately consider ... input as to their experiences, needs, or wishes,' which is in violation of a state legal code that allows minors 14 to 17 to testify. The Oscar-winner's legal team told the appellate court that the judge has neglected to let her submit to the court evidence that speaks to the safety and well-being of the minors, which is 'evidence critical to making her case.' Pitt's legal team fired back, saying that the presiding judge 'has conducted an extensive proceeding over the past six months in a thorough, fair manner and reached a tentative ruling and order after hearing from experts and percipient witnesses.' Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 — citing the 'the health of the family' — in the wake of a conflict on a private flight from France to Los Angeles in which she accused Pitt of behaving abusively to son Maddox, who was 15 at the time.Brad faced no charges in connection with the incident amid probes from the FBI and social services.Angelina and Brad met while working on set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004 while he was married to Jennifer Aniston.Both actors claimed their was no infidelity despite falling in love while working together, and Aniston filed for divorce in March 2005 after five years of marriage.
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source : Daily mail
Angelina Jolie claims she's being 'denied a fair' custody trial after judge refuses to let the children testify about Brad Pitt
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- Published on Wednesday, 26 May 2021 09:46
- Written by Daily mail
Angelina Jolie says the judge in her custody case with ex-husband Brad Pitt has 'refused to hear the minor teenagers' testify to their wishes in regards to their 'custody fate,' saying that she's being denied 'a fair trial' in the process.The 45-year-old actress submit docs to California’s Second District Court of Appeal Monday in an effort to disqualify Judge John Ouderkirk from ruling over the case, the AP reported Tuesday.In the court docs, lawyers for the Maleficent actress said the judge's 'has failed to adequately consider ... input as to their experiences, needs, or wishes,' which is in violation of a state legal code that allows minors 14 to 17 to testify.Jolie and Pitt, 57, are parents to six kids, five of them minors: Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14 and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12.The Oscar-winner's legal team told the appellate court that the judge has neglected to let her submit to the court evidence that speaks to the safety and well-being of the minors, which is 'evidence critical to making her case.'Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 - citing the 'the health of the family' - in the wake of a conflict on a private flight from France to Los Angeles in which she accused Pitt of behaving abusively to son Maddox, who was 15 at the time.The Academy Award-winning actor faced no charges in connection with the incident amid probes from the FBI and social services.Pitt's legal team fired back, saying that the presiding judge 'has conducted an extensive proceeding over the past six months in a thorough, fair manner and reached a tentative ruling and order after hearing from experts and percipient witnesses.' Pitt's camp said that testimony Jolie delivered to the court 'lacked credibility in many important areas, and the existing custody order between the parties must be modified, per Mr. Pitt’s request, in the best interests of the children.' The actor's lawyers said more stalling or objecting to the custody agreement 'grave harm upon the children, who will be further denied permanence and stability.' While Jolie and Pitt both initially agreed to Judge Ouderkirk as a private judge to keep the details of the case sealed, she has since said that the judge has a conflict of interest amid business dealings he has with one of Pitt's lawyers.Jolie said she will appeal a finalized decision made by Ouderkirk in the case.
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source : Daily mail
EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood's costliest - and most acrimonious - divorce! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie 'have spent $1M each' in their bitter battle that began in 2016 and could go on for another SIX YEARS
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- Published on Wednesday, 31 March 2021 06:32
- Written by Daily mail
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's bitter divorce battle is on course to become Hollywood's costliest ever in legal fees alone – and could still rumble on for another six years, according to legal experts.The couple have been locked in a courtroom showdown since Angie, 45, filed for divorce from Brad, 57, in September, 2016 citing irreconcilable differences.Legal experts in Los Angeles say each have each spent over $1million in legal costs already - and say the custody battle could go on for six more years.The parents-of-six still have not reached a settlement on how to split their multi-million dollar fortunes or the custody of their five underage kids.Angie recently sold a painting by Winston Churchill that Brad is believed to have gifted her.Rumors quickly spread that she offloaded the artwork – which sold at auction in London for a record $11.5million earlier this month – to shore up her legal war chest for the battle ahead with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor Brad.LA divorce attorney Kelly Chang Rickert told DailyMail.com: 'I think this could become one of the most expensive divorce cases in Hollywood history in terms of legal fees.'It has been going on for over four years now so it's definitely one of the longest celebrity cases we've ever seen.'I believe Angelina and Brad have already spent over $1million each.'They are both employing very reputable attorneys and Angelina has already gone through several.'Hourly rates may range from between $1,000 to $1,500 and I would estimate that these lawyers may be billing 40 or 50 hours a week at times.'They have also hired a private judge who probably bills around $900 to $1,000 an hour, so he is probably costing $10,000 a day.'If they used him for a five-day trial, he would probably take $50,000 up front and another $10,000 to review paperwork beforehand.'I would say they've paid the judge himself probably close to half a million dollars between them,' she added. 'When Angelina recently sold the painting at auction, people asked if that meant they are close to settling.'I actually think she sold it to pay more attorney's fees, that's just my pessimistic divorce lawyer point of view,' Rickert said. 'I wouldn't be surprised that that's what it's for, but it could be for other things too.'Angelina seems to think she can get sole custody of the kids, but that is just not the case.'She can keep paying millions and millions and millions but as long as Brad wants custody and fights for it, she's going to have to share.'Their youngest kids, twins Knox and Vivienne, are 12 so this could go on another six years until they reach the age of majority at 18.'I've definitely had cases go on and on and on until the kids are adults.'Very nasty ones keep going and Angelina changing attorneys is an indication that she needs to get her own way and isn't willing to give up. It's almost worse when people have the money because they'll just keep fighting.'Other people run out of money but Angelina has the means to keep paying for lawyers.' Another factor that is setting the ex-couple - formerly known as Brangelina - back to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars is expert witness fees. In August last year, Brad's lawyers presented a list of 21 witnesses he expected to call for a child custody trial – including several mental health experts. Meanwhile, Angie presented a list with seven names, of which five were expert witnesses.Asked about the cost of these experts, family lawyer Joe Spirito said: 'It depends on the type of expert but for mental health experts or accountants, I would expect them to be getting around $500 an hour.'When you have experts that are in the mental health profession to evaluate custody it can cost $100,000 for the work done by one expert alone.'In this case there are several children and the marriage lasted several years so I wouldn't be surprised if in total legal fees were in excess of $1 million.'One of the main assets at stake in the acrimonious divorce case is the former couple's Chateau Miraval vineyard and castle in Correns, France.Brad and Angie bought the property for $67million in 2008 and married there in August 2014.Mr Spirito said: 'In California we are a community property state, which means the presumption is if you acquire property after you're married, that is community property.'If one party alleges they bought the property prior to marriage and then put their spouse on the title, they might have a reimbursement claim for the amount of money that they put in that was separate.'It can become very convoluted and people hire accountants to try to trace the money and see what's community and what's separate.'Due to the fact that it's out of the country, California may not have jurisdiction over the estate but funds in California could be used to offset the asset in France.'
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source : Daily mail
Angelina Jolie steps out with daughter Shiloh amid claims she is 'prepared to provide proof of domestic violence' in divorce battle with ex Brad Pitt
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- Published on Saturday, 27 March 2021 16:20
- Written by Daily mail
Angelina Jolie was seen with her daughter Shiloh amid reports she is 'prepared to provide proof of domestic violence' in her divorce battle with ex Brad Pitt.The outing came after it was claimed Brad is 'heartbroken that Angelina has gone that route' and feels that 'there's a lot of emotion left after their marriage'.On Friday, the actress, 45, and Shiloh were seen with a trolley full of goods after shopping at a fabric store, where they loaded up with supplies before heading home.Angelina looked typically chic in a long white linen dress, which she teamed with a cream mac and a pair of sandals.Meanwhile Shiloh, 14, sported a black hoodie and shorts, while also wearing a pair of black trainers as she helped her mom push the trolley.The mother and daughter duo, who were both sporting face masks, were later seen loading up their black Range Rover with their purchases.Earlier this week it was reported that Brad, 57, is saddened over the leak that Angelina is now 'prepared to provide proof' of domestic abuse in the couple's contentious custody battle.An alleged altercation between son Maddox, 19, and Brad in 2016 was said to have been the final straw for Angelina, who filed paperwork indicating that both she and her children are willing to offer testimony and 'proof and authority' in support of her allegations, according to documents obtained by The Blast.Now Pitt is 'heartbroken that Angelina has gone that route. There's a lot of emotion left after their marriage,' a source close to the actor told Page Six.The source added: '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. He has talked about his drink and drug problems during the time they were together,' they continued.The Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood star has never been arrested or charged for any offense during the couple's marriage, nor have any police reports been made.Soon after the couple filed for divorce in 2016, it was revealed that Brad was being investigated by the FBI and social services in LA amid reports he got 'verbally abusive and physical with his children' on a private jet, yet he was cleared.'Brad and his camp has never attacked Angelina. But his camp feels this leak was calculated to sway opinion ahead of the conclusion of their trial,' the source said.'Brad feels like he's being more and more isolated from his children, and he's devastated about it.'The pair share Maddox, Zahara, 16, Pax, 17, Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12, and are hashing out custody and financial arrangements in the trial, which will see their youngest children provide testimony if they give permission.Sources tell the publication that the kids have been interviewed by court-appointed therapists. It was reported that Maddox has 'already given testimony as [an] adult in the ongoing custody dispute and it wasn't very flattering towards Brad'.'He doesn't use Pitt as his last name on documents that aren't legal and instead uses Jolie,' the source told US Weekly. 'Maddox wants to legally change his last name to Jolie, which Angelina has said she does't support.' A source told MailOnline: 'She has made similar allegations in the past which were investigated by the authorities and not substantiated.'The source added: 'This is the latest sad and desperate attempt to advance a false narrative at any cost.'These have been the same attacks repeated for the past 4 ½ years and anyone who is perceived to be standing in the way can expect to have their credibility challenged.'
MailOnline contacted representatives of the former couple for comment at the time.In October, the bitter divorce battle hit yet another bump in the road after the actress parted ways with one of her high-priced attorneys.Priya Sopori, an LA-based former federal prosecutor who has been working with Jolie's lead lawyer, Samantha DeJean, is out after filing a 'Notice of Withdrawal of Attorney of Record' with LA Superior Court, DailyMail.com learnt at the time.Sopori is a partner with California law firm Greenberg Glusker LLP. It is not known whether Jolie - who is fighting Pitt's efforts to win 50/50 custody of their children - fired Sopori or if the attorney made the decision to quit.But the change in her high profile team at this late stage signals Jolie's resolve to get what she wants has only hardened.A source close to Jolie told DailyMail.com: 'Angelina has fought tooth and nail to get what she wants in this divorce, when it comes to her kids she won't back down...' It's not the first time the Girl, Interrupted star has parted company with a lawyer she's hired during the long-running five year divorce saga.In 2018, superstar LA divorce attorney Laura Wasser - whose client list reads like a Who's Who of Hollywood - stopped working for Jolie when the actress's legal fight with Pitt reportedly became too 'venomous and nasty.'Wasser - who has represented Johnny Depp, Kim Kardashian, Ryan Reynolds, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Ashton Kutcher and many other stars - has earned a reputation as a lawyer who tries to take the sting out of break-ups by promoting compromise between warring couples and shared custody of children.So it was thought at the time that Jolie's hard-nosed attitude toward Pitt was not a good fit with Wasser's more gentle, conciliatory approach.After Wasser, Jolie hired San Francisco-based DeJean who is now the only lawyer representing her in the long-running custody dispute with Pitt.The former couple are dragging security experts from two continents, an entourage of personal assistants and bodyguards, a former Jolie co-star and an army of child psychologists and doctors to give evidence in an upcoming custody trial that's expected to be held in private.Lists of witnesses filed in a Los Angeles court and seen by DailyMail.com reveal 21 people who will be testifying in the movie stars' legal fight over their children.One witness will be domestic violence expert Alyce LaViolette, who controversially clashed with a prosecutor in a 2013 murder trial by describing killer Jodi Arias as the victim of abuse. Brad has also listed his ex-wife's personal assistant Michael Ofstedahl and Jolie's friend and Girl, Interrupted costar Jillian Armenante as witnesses – a sign that Pitt is willing to pull out all the stops to win joint custody.Pitt and Jolie famously fell in love on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, while Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston. The couple married in France in 2014 after 10 years of dating, but split two years later in September 2016.In the period that followed their initial separation in 2016, the pair duked it out over custody and financial arrangements, with Brad arguing he'd provided more than adequate funding but Angie demanding a greater share of his $300m fortune. A big factor in the former couple's battle is Jolie's desire to move the children abroad. Pitt, is vehemently opposed to her moving them to a foreign country.In 2019, Angelina admitted: 'I would love to live abroad and will do so as soon as my children are 18. Right now, I'm having to base where their father chooses to live.'In June 2019, Brad – who admitted being an alcoholic at the time of their split but is now recovered – secured a legal breakthrough when a judge ruled he would be permitted more time with the children. He is believed to see them every few days.The kids are shuttled back and forth in blacked-out SUVs and limousines between their parents' LA homes, which are around a mile from one another in the affluent suburb also inhabited by stars including Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes and Zac Efron.In early April last year, the superstars came to an agreement that will see the children attend a more traditional schooling program in LA, marking an end to their homeschooling regime. Jolie said she stands by her choice to leave Pitt.'It was the right decision,' the actress told Vogue in June 2020.'I continue to focus on their (the kids') healing. Some have taken advantage of my silence, and the children see lies about themselves in the media, but I remind them that they know their own truth and their own minds.'The custody trial was due to start late last year but it was delayed after Angelina asked for the private judge to be replaced, claiming that he 'failed to disclose' that he was working other cases with one of Brad's lawyers.
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source : Daily mail
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