Angelina Jolie statement claiming legal agreement over custody of children reached with Brad Pitt is disputed

Pitt is seeking joint physical and legal custody of their six children

(Getty Images for Cinema for Peac)

A spokesperson for Angelina Jolie has claimed the actress and Brad Pitt have reached a custody agreement in their divorce.

The actress will have full custody of their six children, with Pitt to have “therapeutic visits”, according to a statement released by Jolie’s representative. The type of access these therapeutic visits would allow Pitt is unclear.

However, The Independent understands sources are disputing the statement amid claims a new legal custody arrangement has not yet been reached and a temporary agreement giving Pitt visitation rights will continue instead until a legal arrangement is agreed. Pitt filed for joint legal and physical custody in a response to Jolie's petition for divorce on Friday.

In a statement given to People, Jolie said an agreement had been encouraged by childcare professionals, adding that "all sides are committed to healing the family”.

“We can confirm that childcare professionals have encouraged a legal agreement accepted and signed by both sides over a week ago. In accordance with this 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. 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.”

A representative for Pitt declined to comment.

Jolie filed for divorce on 19 September, citing irreconcilable differences, and requested physical custody of their children Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10 and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. She asked for Pitt to have joint legal custody and visitation rights.