Yikes. It looks like Angelina Jolie scored a major victory this past week when a California appeals court agreed with her that the private judge who decided who should get custody of her children with Brad Pitt should be disqualified.
In fact, reports say that the 2nd District Court of Appeal agreed with the actress that Judge John W. Ouderkirk didn’t sufficiently disclose his relationship with Brad’s attorneys. Here’s what you need to know.
Ouderkirk, a private judge, was hired by the former couple in a bid to keep details of the divorce out of the public eye. His departure is likely to further extend the custody dispute.
Brad Pitt Loses Awarded Time With His Kids In Custody Battle With Angelina Jolie
Judge Ouderkirk declined to hear evidence which Jolie’s side believes is “relevant to the children’s health, safety, and welfare, evidence critical to making her case.”
“Judge Ouderkirk’s ethical breach, considered together with the information disclosed concerning his recent professional relationships with Pitt’s counsel, might cause an objective person, aware of all the facts, reasonably to entertain a doubt as to the judge’s ability to be impartial. Disqualification is required,” the court ruled.
Angelina and Brad, once one of Hollywood’s most glamorous couples, separated in September 2016 after a more than 10-year romance and two-year marriage. Jolie filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
Back in May, Angelina reportedly felt rather bitter that she had to share joint custody of her children with her ex-husband. “The custody schedule was always determined by the court,” a source familiar with the situation told Us Weekly.
It’s sad that Brad’s people are gloating about a potential win when beating a system that exists to protect families and children from issues that harm their well-being is not something to brag about.
“The heart of this dispute has not been about keeping the children apart from their father, it’s been Angelina asking for care for her family,” the source added. “Her motivations have never been to deny the children a relationship with their father.”
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