Angelina Jolie's divorce from Brad Pitt is more than just about a marriage ending. At the center of this awful mess are the Jolie-Pitt kids, all of whom are still minors. Will Brangelina's children have to testify against one of their parents in court in a looming custody battle?
Of the Jolie-Pitt kids, it is only Maddox, the eldest at 15, who could tell the courts his custody preference as stated by California laws, CBS News reports. However, divorce lawyers say that parents usually want to avoid having their children speak in court. "It's emotionally draining on the child," divorce lawyer Steven Mindel told the news outlet. Instead, the matter regarding custody could be best settled privately between lawyers and this is likely the route Brangelina will take.
Angelina Jolie has petitioned for sole physical custody of her children Maddox, Pax (12), Zahara (11), Shiloh (10) and eight-year-old twins Knox and Viviene, but has given Brad Pitt visitation rights. However, as the actor has just hired his own lawyer in Lance Spiegel, as USA Today reported, there are speculations that the actor will be contesting his soon-to-be ex-wife in the custody battle. It is believed that Brad Pitt may want to ask the courts for joint physical custody.
Since Angelina Jolie released a statement announcing her divorce from Brad Pitt, the actor apparently has not yet seen his children. The father-of-six is the subject of an FBI investigation involving child abuse.
Brad Pitt apparently got drunk and then shouted and hit Maddox, while arguing with Angelina Jolie during one of their travels. "He knows the severity of the allegations and wants to be cleared of abuse before he sees them," a source said, Us Weekly quoted.
Angelina Jolie is represented by lawyer Laura Wasser. She is believed to have moved out of the house she shared with Brad Pitt and is staying in a rented place in Malibu with the six children.
