Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie to reunify family during divorce pact

LAWYERS for Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt say the pair will work together to reunify their family as they hire a private judge to finalise their divorce.

Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance at the Golden Globes. Picture: Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

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.

Their statement, released on Monday night local time 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.

MORE: Brad Pitt breaks silence after split

At the time, one of her attorneys stated the petition was filed “for the health of the family.”

Brad Pitt and children Pax Jolie-Pitt and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. Picture: AFP

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 initially seeking sole physical custody.

California law favours joint custody in divorce cases, although final arrangements are often agreed to by parents and formalised 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.

Happier times: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt taking adopted children, Zahara and Pax, to kindergarten at the US embassy in Prague, Czech Republic. Picture: Splash

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, however Pitt made a shock appearance onstage at the Golden Globes to spirited applause.

MORE: Pitt’s surprise appearance at the Golden Globes

As soon as the 53-year-old walked out on stage, the star-studded crowd visibly perked up as they pieced all this information together: Brad Pitt, total babe, currently tangled in a ferocious divorce with Angelina Jolie, first major appearance.

Matt Damon is VERY happy to see Brad Pitt. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/9m2NyeaFs2

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 9, 2017

Pitt’s pal Matt Damon enthusiastically led the cheers from the crowd. The bustle in the audience was obvious. If Brad wasn’t standing on a stage, things probably would’ve gone further. Damon would’ve hoisted Brad onto his shoulders and run through the A-list crowd, high-fiving Jon Hamm on the way past.

Despite the excitement, Pitt kept things chill with his hands in his pockets as he dutifully delivered his part — reading the scripted introduction to a clip for Best Motion Picture Drama winner Moonlight. But it was clear he knew what everyone in the audience and at home was thinking.

Originally published as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie to reunify family during divorce pact