Brad Pitt will reportedly address his desire for 50/50 custody with ex Angelina Jolie as their court proceedings begin today.
‘Brad is asking for 50/50 custody to be put in place and stay in place,’ a source told ET Online. ‘Angelina wants to be fair when it comes to custody. She is very structured with the children. Brad has high hopes [they can] try to make it work because of the importance of co-parenting.’
Pitt, 56, and Jolie, 45, announced their shock split in 2016, but have yet to finalize terms regarding custody and support for their children.
Family matters: Brad Pitt will reportedly address his desire for 50/50 custody with ex Angelina Jolie as their court proceedings begin today
Despite their differences, Brad knows Angelina has the best interest of their children at heart.
‘Brad, for the most part, has been respectful of Angelina’s parenting,’ the insider says. ‘While he doesn’t agree with everything, he knows she loves the kids and wants the best for them. He also knows his love and presence are needed.’
Heading to trial was reportedly a last resort for Pitt.
The insider claims the actor has ‘done everything he can to avoid a court situation’ but believes he has been ‘left with no other choice’ in order to see his children more frequently.
At the heart of the matter: Angelina and Brad share six children together – Maddox, 19, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12 (Jolie pictured with Vivienne, Zahara, Shiloh, and Knox)
No choice: Heading to trial was reportedly a last resort for Brad
In addition to Pitt’s reluctance to head to trial, sources say Jolie is also ready for the case to end.
‘No one wants this case over more than Angelina,’ an insider said.
Jolie and Pitt share six children together – Maddox, 19, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12.
The former power couple’s trial will occur October 5 to October 23.
Testify: It emerged last week that Pitt’s legal team planned on calling Angelina’s Girl, Interrupted costar Jillian Armenante to testify at the custody trial, according to Us Weekly
New developments regarding the couple’s legal battle have continued coming to light in recent days.
It emerged last week that Pitt’s legal team planned on calling Jolie’s Girl, Interrupted costar Jillian Armenante to testify at the custody trial, according to Us Weekly.
A witness list for Pitt filed on September 21 includes a therapist, security guard, and numerous psychologists, reports the website.
Pitt will also be testifying, and will have Jolie cross-examined by his attorneys, claims the site.
In addition, Jolie recently lost her battle to have Judge John W. Ouderkirk removed from their divorce proceedings.
Mom first: Despite their differences, Brad reportedly knows Angelina has the best interest of their children at heart