Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are gearing up for their custody trial, but despite calling numerous witnesses, their children likely won’t take the stand. Here’s why.
Their custody battle remains unresolved since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt four years ago.
As they prepare for their upcoming court showdown, documents obtained by HollywoodLife reveal extensive lists of witnesses, excluding their six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.
Divorce attorney Raoul Felder emphasizes that children typically don’t testify in court proceedings. Instead, judges might conduct private interviews if necessary, though they prefer to avoid subjecting children to the stress of a courtroom environment.
Although the four eldest children—Maddox, Pax, Zahara, and Shiloh—are technically of age to testify, Los Angeles family lawyer Kelly Chang Rickert explains that it rarely happens.
California’s Family Code sets a minimum age of 14 for children to testify, but judges generally appoint minors’ counsels or custody evaluators to represent the children’s interests.
Furthermore, Raoul Felder highlights that courts usually prohibit a parent from relocating with the children internationally, as it could jeopardize custody arrangements.
While vacations or short-term trips may be permissible, permanent relocation without the other parent’s consent is typically not allowed.
The custody trial was initially scheduled to begin on October 6 but faced delays due to disputes over the private judge overseeing the case. Angelina sought to replace Judge John W. Ouderkirk, alleging impartiality concerns.
Although her bid was unsuccessful, sources close to Brad suggest that the trial’s latest delay stems from pending decisions regarding the judge’s status.
Despite Brad’s objections to Angelina’s legal maneuvers, Raoul Felder notes that such actions are within her rights under California law, allowing parties to request a different judge a limited number of times.
Kelly Chang Rickert emphasizes the exceptional duration of Brad and Angelina’s custody battle, which has spanned four years—an unusually long time for such proceedings.
She attributes the prolonged dispute to its contentious nature, involving multiple evaluations and legal representations, exceeding the typical duration of custody disputes.
In summary, while Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s custody battle continues, it’s unlikely that their children will testify in court, as judges prefer to protect children from the stresses of legal proceedings.
Despite the lengthy legal wrangling, both parties remain embroiled in a contentious dispute over custody arrangements.
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