Brad Pitt’s attempt to keep his custody battle out of prying eyes failed early this month. With the divorce papers primed for a public release, the Allied star is reportedly “freaked out” about what Jolie might leak. Are Pitt’s concerns justified ?
A custody attorney told Hollywood Life that Pitt’s failure to seal documents means the information will go public. The actor attempted to seal sensitive court records two weeks ago, but a judge denied his requests.
“If the records aren’t sealed, it will be public knowledge,” lawyer Kelly Chang Rickert explained. “Request for Orders for Modification are pretty meaty in terms of details and facts. So, it would be public knowledge and some potentially damaging information could then be leaked.”
Pitt has experienced some troubling times after Jolie filed for divorce in September. The World War Z star was accused and later absolved of child abuse reports and has been fighting for joint custody ever since. Pitt and Jolie share six children together; Maddox (15), Pax (12), Zahara (11), Shiloh (10), and twins Knox and Vivienne (8).
Over the past month, Pitt has been reportedly fighting to see his kids on a more frequent basis. So far, Jolie has ignored his requests and didn’t even allow him to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday. “Instead of agreeing [Jolie] is deferring to therapists, forcing him to bring a motion to get more time,” Rickert said. “Angelina and her lawyers are clearly ignoring his requests from him and his lawyers when they were reasonable enough.”
Pitt has high hopes that things will turn around in time for Christmas. Fortunately, the actor might be able to see the kids if he brings his parents along. Jolie is apparently still very cordial with Pitt’s family and is willing to allow a family visit over the holiday.
“She is open to that only because of Brad’s family,” an insider shared. “Brad will ‘definitely’ see his six children [around the holidays].”
Despite the optimism, Jolie is seemingly doing everything in her power to make it hard for Brad Pitt to visit the kids. According to Daily Mail , she is even forcing him to undergo random drug tests four times a month just to be cleared for visits.
The details of the custody battle were leaked after Pitt’s request to seal all sensitive information. Unfortunately, Jolie had filed a motion days before Pitt’s request, which meant that all the details went public.
Their original agreement, referred to as the “October Stipulation,” outlined the restrictions placed on Pitt. Along with the drug tests, Pitt agreed to attend group therapy with the children. The documents also reveal that child custody psychologists will create the visitation schedule.
Why did Jolie file an order when her lawyers knew the information would go public?
“Based on Ms. Wasser’s email dated December 2, 2016, the unauthorized filing of the October Stipulation was caused by [Jolie’s] reaction to [Pitt’s attorney] having advised her counsel that [Pitt’s] time with the children should be increased,” Pitt’s lawyer, Lance S. Spiegel, explained.
Pitt added, “[Jolie] and I have been unable to agree on a custody schedule and intend to file a Request for Orders to establish a schedule unless an agreement is reached. I am extremely concerned that if court records regarding custody are not sealed, information contained therein will cause irreparable damage to our children’s privacy rights.”
Despite Pitt’s plea, a judge denied his request to keep the files private. The couple’s next court hearing isn’t until January, so it’s unclear what will happen between Pitt and Jolie over the coming holidays.
Angelina Jolie has yet to comment on the rumors surrounding her custody battle with Brad Pitt.
[Featured Image by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images]