Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie: The Custody Battle That Won't End
8+ years of custody battles — and still no final resolution
Key Facts
What Happened
Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in September 2016, requesting sole physical custody of their six children. The filing came after an alleged incident on a private plane that triggered an FBI investigation (no charges were filed).
What followed was one of Hollywood's most protracted custody battles. The couple were declared legally single in 2019, but custody and property disputes continued. A private judge initially granted Pitt more custody time, but was later disqualified for failing to disclose business relationships with Pitt's attorneys.
In 2022, Jolie sold her share of Château Miraval — the French winery the couple co-owned — to a subsidiary of Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler, leading to yet another lawsuit from Pitt. By 2024, the custody and property disputes were still unresolved.
The case illustrates how high-asset, high-conflict divorces involving children can drag on for nearly a decade, costing both parties millions and causing enormous strain on the family.
Legal Breakdown: Child Custody Wars
Sole vs. Joint Custody
Jolie initially sought sole physical custody. In most states, courts prefer joint custody unless there is evidence of harm. Sole custody requests often trigger longer, more contentious proceedings.
Private Judges & Conflicts of Interest
California allows private judges to handle celebrity divorces discreetly. However, these judges must disclose all potential conflicts. The disqualification of the Pitt-Jolie judge reset years of custody rulings.
Property Sales During Divorce
Selling marital assets (like the Miraval winery) during ongoing proceedings without the other party's consent can trigger additional lawsuits and complicate the settlement.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Contested custody battles can last years and cost millions. Mediation is almost always better for children.
- →Verify that your judge — especially a private one — has no conflicts of interest with either party's legal team.
- →Don't sell or transfer marital assets without legal counsel during a divorce. It can create new lawsuits.
- →A legal divorce can be granted while custody remains unresolved. Separate the two timelines mentally.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.