Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie agree to temporary custody deal
Brad Pitt and his estranged wife Angelina Jolie have agreed to undergo family counseling together as part of a temporary custody agreement regarding their six children.
Jolie stunned fans on 19 September (16) when she filed for divorce from Pitt, and her attorney, Robert Offer, subsequently revealed the actress had moved to end their two-year marriage for the "health of the family".
It later emerged the former couple had reportedly clashed over
Pitt's style of parenting following an incident with their kids on
a private plane from France to Los Angeles on 14 September (16),
which prompted officials from both the FBI and the L.A. County
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to launch an
investigation into allegations of child abuse.
The case is still ongoing, but DCFS representatives recently made a
series of recommendations for both Pitt and Jolie in regards to the
care of their brood during the investigation, which they could
either agree to or take to court to challenge.
According to TMZ.com, the stars agreed to the terms, which grants
Angelina full physical custody of the children, with Brad receiving
visitation.
However, his first visit will be monitored by a therapist, who will
then decide whether or not to continue sitting in on Pitt's quality
time with his kids.
Both Pitt and Jolie will undergo individual counseling, in addition
to family sessions with their offspring.
The deal will remain in place for the next three weeks, at which
time DCFS officials will review the situation.
Representatives for Pitt and Jolie have yet to comment on the news,
but the actor previously insisted the welfare of their children
would remain his primary concern in light of their split.
"I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the
well-being of our kids," he explained in a statement released to
People.com after the divorce hit headlines. "I kindly ask the press
to give them the space they deserve during this challenging
time."