LOS ANGELES – DEC 15: Brad Pitt, Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Maddox Jolie-Pitt at the “Unbroken” – Los Angeles Premiere at the Dolby Theater on December 15, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA
Celebrity super couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are officially getting divorced. Rumors of a divorce have swirled since the moment the couple got married, but the rumors have come to an end, and the couple is truly getting divorced this time.
News of the divorce broke early on Tuesday, with TMZ reporting the news around 10:30 eastern time.
The news outlet reports that the divorce was over substance abuse, anger and the couple’s six children. Jolie filed for divorce, and the legal documents, filed on Monday, state that the reason for the divorce is “irreconcilable differences.”
Sources told TMZ that there was not a third person involved in the divorce, and that it’s believed Pitt has anger issues. Jolie may have felt that Pitt was becoming a danger to the couple’s kids.
Jolie hired Laura Wasser, a divorce attorney that has worked through some of the biggest celebrity divorces on the planet, to represent her. Considered the “celebrity divorce queen,” Wasser has represented many big names during their divorce, including: Johnny Depp, Ryan Reynolds and Heidi Klum, among many others.
The separation date listed was September 15, 2016.
It is rumored that Jolie will not seek spousal support from Pitt. The actress is asking for physical custody of the couple’s six children. She insists on joint legal custody – not joint physical custody. She is asking that Pitt maintain visitation rights at this time.
The couple married in France in a secret ceremony at their estate in 2014 after dating for 10 years.
Divorce law misconceptions are common, and while the couple married in France, the divorce petition was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The divorce proceedings will take place in California as a result, and under California law, the couple is subject to “Community Property.”
Community Property divides all assets acquired during the marriage 50-50 in a divorce where the couple cannot come to an agreement.
The couple has a residence in California, so they meet the residency requirements to divorce in Los Angeles as a result. Brad Pitt earned $31.5 million in 2016, according to Forbes. Some estimates put Jolie’s net worth at $200 million.
Reports of the couple’s net worth vary, with many news outlets estimating that the couple has a net worth of around $400 million. Forbes reports that the couple has earned $555 million since 2004. The figure, while impressive, includes 10 years in which the couple was dating, so it may not be included if a prenuptial agreement was in place at the time.
Earnings since the couple married in 2014 reach $117.5 million before fees and taxes, with Pitt making significantly more during this period.
The earnings would be split evenly under California law, but Jolie and Pitt can choose to keep their own respective earnings. Jolie has not asked for spousal support, and this may be an indication that she is not looking for a large payout from Pitt.
Forbes suggests Jolie earned $239.5 million during an 11-year period.
There has been no mention of a postnuptial or prenuptial agreement in place between the actors. The sizeable estate could lead to a potentially lengthy lawsuit