Despite reportedly reaching a custody agreement with Angelina Jolie that gives him joint access, Brad Pitt hasn’t been seen in public with any of his kids for more than two and a half years.
Now an insider close to the actor tells New Idea that Brad is still some way off getting equal time with Maddox, 17, Pax, 15, Zahara, 14, Shiloh, 12, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 10. Until then, it’s thought their visits are restricted to taking place on private property.
“It’s just breaking his heart that he hasn’t been out in public with all his kids for nearly 1000 days,” says a source. “When his lawyer sat down and added up the days, he broke down in tears – it was the final straw.”
No doubt what makes it harder for Brad is seeing how Ange is able to freely move around LA with their children in tow, without any apparent limits on her own access.
Just last week she was photographed looking relaxed and happy, visiting a mall with Zahara and Knox, while in the previous month she was seen out and about frequently, taking the children to breakfast and running errands.
“He’s done everything by the book for Angeline, and still she won’t let him walk around in public with the kids. She didn’t even let him attend Zahara’s recent birthday party – it’s cruel.
“Brad is sick and tired of moving heaven and earth to keep her happy, yet still not seeing the kids on his terms. Whenever he does have them, it’s all within her rules and her say-so, under the watchful eye of her people. He’s had enough,” adds the source.
According to reports, Brad’s access to the children is indeed still subject to limits and, while he’ll eventually get 50:50 custody of them, Hollywood Life claimed earlier this month that this increased time “will come in stages”.
Brisbane-based family lawyer, Clarissa Rayward explains that it’s common for custody agreements to include restrictions around how parents spend time with their children.
This is especially common when one parent is subject to having their visits monitored, as it’s thought Brad could still be.
“You would definitely see situations where one parent is subject to a supervision order, or a parent might be restricted in terms of what they can do versus the other parent,” says Clarissa.
Since Ange filed for divorce from Brad in September 2016, their separation has been increasingly fraught. Initially they had an informal agreement in place which gave Brad weekly supervised visits with the younger children, but last August Ange was ordered to give him more access.
There were also legal skirmishes over Brad not paying “meaningful” child support and Ange was ordered by a divorce judge to allow her children to receive unmonitored phone calls from their dad.
But despite their apparently finalising the agreement behind closed doors in December, with a source telling Us Weekly that “Brad got what he wanted”, it appears some issues remain.
Certainly, it appears the animosity has not lessened. When Zahara celebrated her 14th birthday earlier this month, Brad was reportedly not invited to her party.
“Things have not been stable enough between Ange and Brad, she still has a lot of animosities, and there is arguing happening between them through their lawyers,” a source told Hollywood Life.
“It will be a while before the divorce is finalised and Ange is comfortable enough to have him over for family events and birthday parties.”
Our source says Brad is determined that 2019 will see him rebuild his relationship with the kids.
“He’s sick of being cooped up at home on the rare times he does have them.
“The fact it’s been more than 900 days since he’s been able to leave the house with them is just insane. He wants it to change.”
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