Angelina Jolie retains sole custody of her children as she reaches agreement in custody battle with Brad Pitt
The Hollywood couple have reached an agreement which will give the actor 'therapeutic visits' with the kids following the stars' shock split
ANGELINA Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached an agreement in the custody battle over their six children following their shock split.
The actress will retain sole custody of the kids, and her estranged husband will be granted “therapeutic visits”.
The couple's marriage broke down this year, and they announced plans to divorce in September.
They were divided over the children, who remained with their mother, and now the actress's team have confirmed a custody agreement has been reached.
It is believed to be an extension of a previous agreement that had been put in place following the split.
A representative for Angelina, 41, released a statement confirming the children will stay with their mother, and Brad, 52, will be allowed regular visits.
The statement explained: "In accordance with this [custody] agreement, the six children will stay in their mother's custody, and the children will continue therapeutic visits with their father.
"This has been determined by childcare professionals to be in the children's best interest.
"We are not in a position to discuss the details.
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"We hope now that it is clear that the events which led to the dissolution filing involved minor children and their wellbeing, there will be understanding of the sensitivity of the family situation.
"We believe that all sides are committed to healing the family and ask for your consideration during this difficult time."
The news comes just days after Brad filed a response to Angelina's divorce petition on Friday, asking for joint custody of the children.
He has since pulled out of all his planned press commitments for new film Allied.
The former couple are parents to six kids – Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10 and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.
Angelina cited "irreconcilable differences" for the split, which came just a day after an alleged bust-up between Brad and their eldest son Maddox on a private plane.
The spat with the teen is believed to have occurred during a flight from France to Minnesota.
It is believed the incident was the trigger for Angelina, 41, calling time on their marriage.
The couple were together for 12 years, but only tied the knot in 2014.
They struck up a romance after falling in love on the set of spy drama Mr & Mrs Smith.
After the divorce plans were confirmed, Brad released a statement insisting the welfare of the children must come first.
It stated: "I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids.
"I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."