Brad Pitt has been granted joint custody of his children with Angelina Jolie following a lengthy court battle.
Judge John Ouderkirk, a private judge appointed by the couple announced the decision through a lengthy ruling, reports Page Six. The former couple had been battling for the rights to their six kids for nearly five years.
John Ouderkirk made the decision after undergoing months of witness testimony, including child services professionals who interviewed the Jolie-Pitt children and others who have been around the family.
Another source with knowledge of the case told Page Six: “There was a significant change made in the custody agreements based on an extremely detailed decision made by the judge. 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.”
In regards to Jolie’s ongoing fight, a source told Page Six, “Joint custody is not the issue that Angelina objects to, there were other issues of concern, but the court proceedings are closed and sealed.”
Angelina Jolie who last year made a legal bid to disqualify Ouderkirk from the divorce case – said in a filing Monday that the judge had refused to let their children testify. According to the Associated Press, Jolie said the judge had “refused to hear the minor teenagers’ input as to their experiences, needs, or wishes as to their custody fate,” citing a California code that says a child 14 or over should be allowed to testify if they want to.
Three of the Jolie-Pitt children are teenagers, 17-year-old Pax, 16-year-old Zahara and 14-year-old Shiloh.
