Brad Pitt scores huge victory in war with Angelina Jolie after judge awards joint custody of kids

Brad Pitt was granted joint custody of his children with Angelina Jolie following a lengthy court battle.

The 57-year-old actor has been fighting in the court system for nearly five years to obtain equal rights to the six kids he shares with his ex-wife.

A source told DailyMail.com: ‘He’s so relieved. His only intention is to spend more time with the kids.’

Victory: Brad Pitt was granted joint custody of his children with Angelina Jolie following a lengthy court battle. The stars are seen in 2015

Jolie and Pitt are parents to six kids, five of them minors: Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14 and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12.

After months of testimony from witnesses and child services professionals who interviewed their children, Judge John Ouderkirk reportedly made his thoughts clear on the ruling, according to Page Six.

‘There was a significant change made in the custody agreements based on an extremely detailed decision made by the judge,’ a source said. 

‘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.’  

The insider added: ‘This trial lasted for several months and there were a f**k ton of witnesses, experts, therapists and other people who have been with the kids and around them, and the decision was based on this.’

Big family: The 57-year-old actor has been fighting in the court system for nearly five years to obtain equal rights to the six kids he shares with his ex-wife; seen in 2014

The 45-year-old actress will reportedly continue her legal fight and said the judge’s ruling was more of a ‘tentative decision.’

‘Joint custody is not the issue that Angelina objects to, there were other issues of concern, but the court proceedings are closed and sealed,’ the source said. 

Lost love: Brad and Angelina met while working on set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004 and were married in 2014; pictured in 2009

The source added: ‘There was a safety order surrounding the previous custody arrangements, that is public, and the kids schedule has been set under the jurisdiction of the division of family services for over three years.’ 

Angelina attempted to dismiss the private judge they had hired to rule over the case in documents submitted to California’s Second District Court of Appeals on Monday. 

Jolie’s lawyers argued the judge ‘has failed to adequately consider … input as to their experiences, needs, or wishes,’ which is in violation of a state legal code that allows minors 14 to 17 to testify. 

The Oscar-winner’s legal team told the appellate court that the judge has neglected to let her submit to the court evidence that speaks to the safety and well-being of the minors, which is ‘evidence critical to making her case.’  

Pitt’s legal team fired back, saying that the presiding judge ‘has conducted an extensive proceeding over the past six months in a thorough, fair manner and reached a tentative ruling and order after hearing from experts and percipient witnesses.’ 

Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 — citing the ‘the health of the family’ — in the wake of a conflict on a private flight from France to Los Angeles in which she accused Pitt of behaving abusively to son Maddox, who was 15 at the time.

Brad faced no charges in connection with the incident amid probes from the FBI and social services.

Angelina and Brad met while working on set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004 while he was married to Jennifer Aniston.

Aniston filed for divorce in 2005 an 

Fighting on: The 45-year-old actress will reportedly continue her legal fight and said the judge’s ruling was more of a ‘tentative decision’ (pictured in 2019)