Judge Denies Brad Pitt's Request to Keep Angelina Jolie Divorce Details Private...for Now

Actor filed emergency hearing to keep legal battle private

By Kendall Fisher Dec 07, 2016 7:04 PMTags

Brad Pitt filed a request for an emergency hearing in order to seal the documents involved in his divorce and custody battle with Angelina Jolie.

The actor's attorney, Lance Spiegel,  confirmed to E! News that Pitt had moved to keep all matters regarding the former couple's divorce as well as the information about their six underaged children—Shiloh Jolie Pitt, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Knox Jolie-Pitt and Pax Jolie-Pitt—private as their legal battle continues.

The request came shortly after documents went public regarding Pitt and Jolie's temporary custody agreement, which was established last week. 

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On Wednesday, the A-listers' attorneys met in court regarding the filing. Jolie's attorney, Laura Wasser, confirmed to E! News that they "won" as a judge denied Brad's request for an emergency hearing.

However, Spiegel tells us Pitt can still win his motion. He explained that the judge did not see Brad's request as an "emergency action" but did not deny the request to seal the documents. Rather, the hearing has been scheduled for January, and Pitt still has a chance to make them private.

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A source tells E! News the reason Pitt chose to file was because Jolie and her team "chose to make public what supposed to be a confidential custodial agreement."

Another insider close to Pitt told People magazine, "Angelina has consistently made public statements and public filings throughout this process. He has not. All he is saying—and any therapist would agree here—is that he wants to do what is in the best interests of his children, and his entire family, including her, frankly. And that is to keep this private."

The source added, "It is inconceivable why anyone would argue against this being private. What is the argument for having it public? Why would you want any details about this incredibly difficult time to be broadcast to the whole world?"

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Meanwhile, on Tuesday, E! News obtained the documents which confirmed the couple had reached a temporary custody agreement.

According to the docs, Pitt and Jolie's children will remain in the actress' custody, and Pitt will continue to have "therapeutic visitation" with them as well as partake in weekly individual therapy sessions with them. He will also have to submit random drug and alcohol testing.

They reached the agreement a few weeks after the FBI officially closed the investigation into Pitt regarding an alleged incident between him and a child aboard a private plane on Sept. 15.

—Reporting by Alli Rosenbloom

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