Brad Pitt seeks joint custody of children

After the split of the famous couple, Angelina Jolie had asked for full physical custody of all the children, who are aged eight to 15. Ms Jolie had cited “irreconcilable differences” when she decided to end the marriage in September this year.

Reports suggest that Mr Pitt is being investigated over an incident with his eldest son Maddox on a plane. A child welfare agency in Los Angeles is examining what happened during a private flight in mid-September this year causing the final rupture, with Jolie accusing Pitt of child abuse and seeking sole custody for the children.

The couple have six children together – Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, who are adopted, and biological children Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne.

What could be the outcome in the court?

California divorce courts generally favour joint custody for children of divorced parents, but the outcome of the plane incident could affect the judge’s decision.

If the abuse charges are proved against Pitt, he may not get joint custody and will be able to visit his children only under supervision. The actors may also agree on a deal privately to avoid the matter being aired in public.