Angelina Jolie Pitt and Brad Pitt have
reached an agreement to handle their divorce in a private forum and will
work together to reunify their family, the actors announced in a joint
statement Monday.
Their statement released Monday night to The
Associated Press said that they will keep future details of their
divorce confidential by using a private judge.
"The parties and their counsel have signed agreements
to preserve the privacy rights of their children and family by keeping
all court documents confidential and engaging a private judge to make
any necessary legal decisions and to facilitate the expeditious
resolution of any remaining issues," their statement read. "The parents
are committed to act as a united front to effectuate recovery and
reunification."
The statement is the first joint comment from the
actors on their divorce since Jolie Pitt filed to end their marriage in
September. At the time, one of her attorneys stated the petition was
filed "for the health of the family."
Authorities investigated allegations that Pitt was
abusive toward his 15-year-old son on a private flight, but sources
familiar with the cases said the actor was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Private judges are often used in high-profile divorce
cases, keeping many details of a breakup out of the public eye while a
final judgment is negotiated.
Custody of their six children has been the primary
issue in the divorce, with Jolie Pitt initially seeking sole physical
custody. California law favors joint custody in divorce cases, although
final arrangements are often agreed to by parents and formalized in a
written agreement.
Pitt and Jolie were married for two years and
together for 12 years after becoming close while filming 2005's "Mr.
& Mrs. Smith."
Their divorce, and every filing in it, has attracted
international attention. Last month, Pitt sought to seal custody records
in the case, and a hearing had been scheduled for next week on the
issue.
Both actors have kept a relatively low profile since
their breakup was announced, although Pitt made an appearance onstage at
Sunday's Golden Globes to spirited applause.
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