Random Fuzzy
When they decline to give People a statement, it turns to other, dubious "sources" with highly questionable "knowledge." There is no dispute between them on custody, there is nothing to settle "out of court." As Wasser wrote to Spiegel when Brad wanted to ignore the therapists' recommendations and was insisting on prematurely ending therapeutic monitoring:
"I understand that Brad is frustrated but feel that it is incumbent upon us to help this family achieve their long-term reunification goals in a smooth and expeditious manner....Is it not the end goal that within the next 6-12 months Brad is enjoying frequent and continuous contact with all of the children on a joint custodial basis?"Their end goal, what everyone has been working to achieve, is the reconciliation of Brad and the children so the family can be reunified.
"We care for each other and care about our family, and we are both working towards the same goal.”Clear. Unequivocal. In simple terms easy to comprehend.
"Just the moment, just glimpse moments of joy because I know I'm just in the middle of this thing now and I'm not at the beginning of it or at the end of it, just where this chapter is right now. I just don't want to dodge any of it. I just want to stand there, shirt open, and take my hits."
Angelina remains focused on healing her family. She continues to support the reconciliation of the children with Brad
Angelina has “tried to bridge the gap between the kids and their dad. She’s worked to achieve reinstatement for them. But it’s now between Brad, his kids, and the court. The court will determine things.”
The Judge needs to hear the mental health professionals testify that the children have recovered and have reestablished a relationship with Brad. It was one of the safeguards imposed by the DCFS to make sure the children heal properly and are not rushed.
A stipulation appointing a privately compensated Temporary Judge usually lists the trial dates that have been set. This is their third such stipulation, their second extension, None of the previous stipulations had a trial date because they were not ready before now. Spiegel said hearing dates are scheduled with the Judge or his assistant and are done in a conference call. They could easily change the widely reported trial date and make it earlier or later.
The S&O filed Oct. 31 to extend Judge Ouderkirk's appointment is identical to the one filed earlier this year except for the 4th paragraph that now has the trial date on the "bifurcated issue of custody" set to begin Dec. 4 as well as the new completion date of the Judge's appointment on June 30, 2019. "Bifurcated issue" means that custody is the only issue under consideration. Standard drafts of the S&O appointing a Temporary Judge simply list the trial dates without describing what the trial is about. They specifically identified this one to make clear that they are not having a "divorce trial." They of course knew this would get a a lot of attention.
Hearings and trials are similar in nature but trials require witnesses to testify in person so they can be cross examined whereas in hearings they can just submit affidavits. In their case, the hearings and trial can be done telephonically -- i.e. by conference call. The Judge would hear the testimonies of the mental health experts -- the trauma specialists who treated the children initially, the psychiatrist and the neuropsychologist who took over from them, the custody evaluator, Dr. Katz, and review the evidence they'll present. He can ask them to elaborate or clarify. The trial will provide Judge Ouderkirk with information that will form the basis for legally clearing the family's path together under the terms dictated by the DCFS. It is the only trial before the completion of the Judge's appointment.
They initially expected reunification would take 6 to 12 months. It has taken over 2 years.
The DCFS implemented a Child Safety Plan and placed a protective order against Brad upon examining the children and interviewing everyone as they stepped off the plane on Sept. 14, 2016. Angelina was compelled to file the petition because under the DCFS's stringent rules the children "may be placed with the other parent, if they are separated or divorced." The children were suffering from severe trauma. They were fearful of Brad and did not want to be with him. The long estrangement in the aftermath of the plane incident that kept the family apart was between Brad and the kids, not between Angelina and Brad. It took 3 weeks -- until Oct. 8 -- before the therapists felt the four younger kids had recovered enough to start having weekly, monitored visits with Brad. But they "didn’t warm up to him.” It took another two weeks before the therapists felt Maddox and Pax were ready but that visit went worse. The boys walked out and refused all of Brad's visits until December -- when Angelina worked to facilitate family therapy sessions. To enable Angelina to better assist Brad who was struggling in his interactions with the children, Wasser wrote in her Dec. 1 letter:
"We also propose that the parties participate in joint sessions with a trauma specialist so that they may learn how to best support and interact with their children given their current state."
After the DCFS lifted the safety plan's restrictions on contact between them (on or about October 21), they were "encouraged" to sign the Stipulation Re Child Custody and Therapy (on Oct. 26, 2016). They signed the stipulation which included the DCFS' recommendations while the DCFS' investigation was still ongoing. As Spiegel noted in his email to Wasser, Angelina had vouched for Brad during the DCFS' investigation, telling them that he has been a great father:
"Based on evidence that has been corroborated by multiple sources (including public and private statements from your client), he has been a great father"The DCFS released its decision not to charge Brad with child abuse on Nov. 8, 2016. Angelina's rep issued a statement at the conclusion of the DCFS' investigation:
"The job of the DCFS is to make sure the children are in a safe and secure situation. As we said earlier this week, childcare professionals encouraged a legal agreement accepted and signed by both sides that was in the best interest of the children. Angelina said from the beginning that she felt she had to take action for the health of the family and is relieved that after their 8-week involvement, the DCFS is now satisfied the safeguards are put in place that will allow the children to heal."The DCFS' priority was ensuring the children's recovery and safety and supporting the family's reunification. It was less interested in going after Brad although based on the near total destruction of his relationship with the children, his conduct on the plane would have had to have been extraordinarily offensive. In what was likely part of a compromise agreement, the DCFS required them to abide by the safeguards it imposed for the children's benefit. Those safeguards are in addition to the DCFS' recommendations for mandatory therapy and drug and alcohol testing that were incorporated in the Custody Stipulation.
The DCFS anticipated that there would be attempts by Brad to rush reunification, as indeed he tried to do in November 2016. As a safeguard the DCFS required them to keep the petition in place until they obtain clearance from mental health experts and the court that the children have fully recovered and are ready and willing to live with Brad. The custody stipulation was signed under the petition. Wasser's and Spiegel's roles were as "good liaisons between our clients and the mental health professionals." Wasser was the gatekeeper, controlling access to the therapists, protecting their independence and their ability to make decisions.
Angelina filed the Request for the May 30 Order and explained to the children that she desired and supported what it required them to do. The summer schedule was an attempt at court intervention to force the children to have a relationship with Brad after they continued to stubbornly resist him despite the efforts of two successive teams of mental health professionals who worked with the family for over two years. If this were a real divorce, Angelina would not be involved in helping reconcile Brad with the children. It would not be her problem and her sole focus would be the children's well being after he left them severely traumatized. Brad had acknowledged that this "weird time" was "self inflicted"and he would be on his own. The summer effort was possible because the children trust Angelina. The children would not be open to the summer schedule if only Brad requested and supported it because they did not trust him and did not feel safe alone with him.
Even if the summer effort was successful, any bond between Brad and the children at this point would be tenuous and fragile. Rebuilding the children's trust in, and relationship with Brad will be a delicate task for years to come.
Since the beginning, Angelina's express intent and objectives have remained the same:
This decision was made for the health of the family. - Sept. 20, 2016The last statement came weeks after they obviously quarreled. On Aug. 7 Bley Dejean filed a Request for a Case Management conference to "address any issues that arise" regarding the prerequisites for a stipulation for bifurcation. Spiegel replied the next day that it was "unnecessary" and devoted his response to asserting that he requested first. Bley Dejean also said they intended to file a RFO for retroactive child support and schedule hearings on the same, to which Spiegel replied that child support had not been an issue before and the "sudden effort to schedule a hearing on the subject is calculated to increase the conflict." Joseph Mannis, who became a limited associated counsel at the time Bley Dejean filed the Request, presumably was brought in to help Bley Dejean on the issue. No such RFO has been filed to-date. Nor has there been any court order or any other filing related to the Request and Response since they were filed two months ago.
"(The DeMille) is a big jump forward for us, and we’re all trying to do our best to heal our family." - July 2017
"I just want my family healthy." - September 13, 2017
Angelina remains focused on healing her family. She continues to support the reconciliation of the children with Brad. - August 29, 2018
"It’s just been the hardest time, and we’re just kind of coming up for air."By The Sea behind the scenes:
“None of it’s easy. It’s very, very difficult, a very painful situation.
“Everybody knows there is never just the tragedy of life, or the humor of life or pure joy of life. Relationships have those extremes. You can absolutely madly love the same person you want to kill.”— Love (@LincOlnVehiclEs) November 12, 2018
–Angelina Jolie
They had a blow up. He acted to spite her and she furiously hit back at him. She was so angry she was spoiling for a public battle. The normally irascible Speigel's very restrained Response was highly uncharacteristic of him. His quick temper has been on vivid display in his emails and previous filings. He passed up on opportunities for a more pointed rebuttal and did not counter attack. It was a carefully calibrated response calculated to cool things down. Brad has been in this position rather often lately and knew how to make up with Angelina. By the time she returned to L.A. a few days later -- on Aug. 11 -- she was happy, relaxed and beaming.
The hearings for the May 30 Order took 7 days and this will likely take longer and may not be done by the end of December if it starts on Dec. 4. Judge Ouderkirk would also be presiding over other cases on his calendar. Their lawyers signed the S&O extending Judge Ouderkirk's appointment on Oct 24 & 25 -- two weeks after the hearings of Oct. 8 and 9 that resulted in a sealed Order. Since it is sealed, the Order would have to be custody-related and therefore related to the trial. The Order was filed two days after the S&O.
Judge Ouderkirk's appointment was extended by 6 months but the trial shouldn't take that long. Brad's Ad Astra will be released in May -- it was pushed back from December likely because of the delay in reconciling Brad with the children. He should be starting promotion some weeks before and there is speculation Ad Astra may premiere in Cannes.
Judge Ouderkirk will render the decision that will legally reunite the family. It will be the second time the Judge will formally unite them after officiating at their wedding in Miraval.
****
In Brad's own words, stripped of the excess verbiage and arranged in a more cohesive and comprehensible order, clear and simple to understand:
"we grew up First Baptist, which is the cleaner, stricter, by-the-book Christianity. Then, when I was in high school, my folks jumped to a more charismatic movement, which got into speaking in tongues and raising your hands and some goofy-ass shit."
"I never understood growing up with Christianity—don't do this, don't do that—it's all about don'ts, and I was like how the fuck do you know who you are and what works for you if you don't find out where the edge is, where's your line? You've got to step over it to know where it is."
"I was really on my back and chained to a system when Child Services was called."
"It's just very, very jarring for the kids, to suddenly have their family ripped apart. If anyone can make sense of it, we have to."
"I heard one lawyer say, “No one wins in court—it's just a matter of who gets hurt worse.” And it seems to be true, you spend a year just focused on building a case to prove your point and why you're right and why they're wrong, and it's just an investment in vitriolic hatred. I just refuse. And fortunately my partner in this agrees"
"And you know, after that, we've been able to work together to sort this out. We're both doing our best."
"keeping the ship afloat” ”
“figuring out the new configuration of our family.”
“Kids are taking all the focus.”
"Any of my foibles are born from my own hubris."
"When I get in trouble it's because of my hubris. "
"I can't remember a day since I got out of college when I wasn't boozing or had a spliff, or something. And you realize that a lot of it is, um—cigarettes, you know, pacifiers. And I'm running from feelings."
"This last year, things I wasn't dealing with. I was boozing too much. It's just become a problem.
"I mean, we have a winery. I enjoy wine very, very much, but I just ran it to the ground. I had to step away for a minute."
"The terrible thing is I tend to run things into the ground. That's why I've got to make something so calamitous. I've got to run it off a cliff."
"Don't want to live that way anymore."
"And I'm really happy. I've got my feelings in my fingertips again."
"It's a different world, too. We know more, we're more focused on psychology. I come from a place where, you know, it's strength if we get a bruise or cut or ailment we don't discuss it, we just deal with it. We just go on. The downside of that is it's the same with our emotion. I'm personally very retarded when it comes to taking inventory of my emotions. I'm much better at covering up. I grew up with a Father-knows-best/war mentality—the father is all-powerful, super strong—instead of really knowing the man and his own self-doubt and struggles.
"I gotta be more for them. I have to show them. And I haven't been great at it."
"I'm really good at cutting myself off, and it's been a problem. I need to be more accessible, especially to the ones I love."
"I say that as someone who's let the work take me away. Kids are so delicate. They absorb everything. They need to have their hand held and things explained. They need to be listened to. When I get in that busy work mode, I'm not hearing. I want to be better at that."
"Film feels like a cheap pass for me, as a way to get at those hard feelings. It doesn't work anymore, especially being a dad."
"I'm an asshole when it comes to this need for justice. I don't know where it comes from, this hollow quest for justice for some perceived slight. It's done me no good whatsoever. And this is coming from a guy who hit the lottery, I'm well aware of that. I hit the lottery, and I still would waste my time on those hollow pursuits."
"These are things I thought I was managing very well. I remember literally having this thought a year, a year and a half ago, someone was going through some scandal. Something crossed my path that was a big scandal—and I went, “Thank God I'm never going to have to be a part of one of those again.” I live my life, I have my family, I do my thing, I don't do anything illegal, I don't cross anyone's path."
"For me this period has really been about looking at my weaknesses and failures and owning my side of the street."
"I see it happen to friends—I see where the one spouse literally can't tell their own part in it, and is still competing with the other in some way."
"I do remember a few spots along the road where I've become absolutely tired of myself. And this is a big one. These moments have always been a huge generator for change."
"I think it would have come knocking, no matter what."
"Sitting with those horrible feelings, and needing to understand them, and putting them into place. In the end, you find: I am those things I don't like. That is a part of me. I can't deny that. I have to accept that. And in fact, I have to embrace that. I need to face that and take care of that. Because by denying it, I deny myself. I am those mistakes. For me every misstep has been a step toward epiphany, understanding, some kind of joy. Yeah, the avoidance of pain is a real mistake. It's the real missing out on life. It's those very things that shape us, those very things that offer growth, that make the world a better place, oddly enough, ironically. That make us better."
"A few months ago I was having frightening dreams and I'd consciously lie awake trying to ask, What can I get out of this? What can I learn from this? Those ceased. And now I have been having moments of joy, and you wake and realize it's just a dream, and I get a bit depressed for the moment. Just the moment, just glimpse moments of joy because I know I'm just in the middle of this thing now and I'm not at the beginning of it or at the end of it, just where this chapter is right now. I just don't want to dodge any of it. I just want to stand there, shirt open, and take my hits."
“It means to love without ownership. It means expecting nothing in return. It doesn't mean fuck-all to me until, you know—"
"There's no love without loss. It's a package deal."
"If I'm not creating something... then I'll just be creating scenarios of fiery demise in my mind. You know, a horrible end."
"I wish I could just change my name."
"I just started therapy. I love it, I love it. I went through two therapists to get to the right one."
"there's understanding the future, there's understanding the immediate moment and why we're at this point, and then it brings up a lot of issues from the past that we haven't talked about."
"Our focus is that everyone comes out stronger and better people—there is no other outcome."
“I’ve got no secrets. I’ve got nothing to hide,” “We’re human... If we’re not talking about it, then we’re not getting better.”
"I think that's part of the human challenge: You either deny them all of your life or you answer them and evolve."
"So little of it is accurate, and I avoid so much of it. I just let it go. It's always been a long-run game for me. As far as out there, I hope my intentions and work will speak for themselves."
"I don't really think of myself much as an actor anymore. It takes up so little of my year and my focus."
"Family first. People on their deathbeds don't talk about what they obtained or were awarded. They talk about their loved ones or their regrets."
"I know the people who love me know me. And that's enough for me."
"If I'm not creating something, doing something, putting it out there, then I'll just be creating scenarios of fiery demise in my mind. You know, a horrible end." “I’m not suicidal or something. There’s still much beauty in the world and a lot of love. And a lot of love to be given."
All the beauty and a lot of love is coming from and being given to Angelina. She is the only one in the family who loves and knows him since the children were still "closed down" to him and "not having a relationship with" him. Her love and support gave him confidence to replace "frightening dreams" with dreams of "moments of joy" even when they were still far from this point. While Brad acknowledged that this “weird” time was “self-inflicted” and enumerated his failings, Angelina never blamed him. She looked past his conduct on the plane with the firm belief that she knows what is in his mind and in his heart and understands what happened to him.
"We’re all just healing from the events that led to the filing . . . They’re not healing from divorce. They’re healing from some . . . from life, from things in life.”She is showing the children by example to have a generous and compassionate heart.
"We will be stronger when we come out of this because that's what we're determined to do as a family."
“I am coping with finding a way through to make sure that this somehow makes us stronger and closer."
"It’s just been the hardest time, and we’re just kind of coming up for air. (The DeMille) is a big jump forward for us, and we’re all trying to do our best to heal our family."
"We care for each other and care about our family, and we are both working towards the same goal.”
-- Fussy
****
This bears repeating time and again:
Do not be duped into clicking on trash.
No site other than People has had any genuine contact since they hired Judge Ouderkirk. People's last legitimate reports identified their source -- Mindy Nyby. She gave brief, succinct quotes.
Everything being churned out by all other sites from TMZ and Page Six to E, ET and Us are bogus, obviously made up stories.
A "leak" is privileged information not otherwise available to the public. The only leaks came from Wasser who started to leak details to TMZ as soon as Angelina filed. She immediately leaked that the filing was due to substance abuse and anger issues -- what Brad later acknowledged as boozing too much and being an asshole seeking justice for a perceived slight. These problems combined to precipitate the incident on the plane which led to the DCFS' investigation for child abuse -- which Wasser also leaked. She leaked that Maddox and Pax walked out of Brad's first visit with them (in late October 2016) and refused other visits. She also leaked that Brad and Angelina had an "iron clad" prenup. Most recently Wasser leaked the May 30 Order to The Blast. All of these revealed confidential info not known to the public. Since Wasser was removed there have been no leaks and the sites that used to benefit from her leaks have been on the war path. What they and other tabloid sites are producing are idiotic fabrications.
No true insider and friend has ever and will ever talk about their lives especially with the sensitive situation involving the children. Their inner circle is very tight and nothing goes out of that circle -- which is why no one knew before the May 30 Order leaked that the children still did not feel safe alone with Brad and that they already sought help from a psychiatrist. True insiders like Frank Pollaro, Luong Ung and her dermatologist Rhonda Rand are very wary about being asked anything about them. It is why they remain insiders.
Do not be gullible. Do not waste your time and others'.
****
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Are Working 'Together Toward a Settlement' for Custody of 6 Kids https://t.co/MjwwXquGjz— People (@people) November 6, 2018
Exes Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are working toward settling custody of their six children.
The pair asked to extend the current temporary judge on their case — Judge John Ouderkirk — until June 30, 2019, according to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE.
While the documents say a “trial on the bifurcated issue of custody is to begin on December 4,” multiple sources tell PEOPLE both sides are working toward an out-of-court settlement to arrange custody of their children without going to trial.
The listed court date is seen as a target date for which they could reach an agreement on custody, sources say.
A source tells PEOPLE, “both parties continue to work together toward a settlement.”
“Angelina isn’t seeking full custody,” the insider adds.
****
S&O filed 02/06/2018
S&O filed 10/31/2018
****
DECLARATION OF LAURA A. WASSER, ESQ
I, Laura A. Wasser, hereby declare as follows:
1. I am an attorney at law duly license to practice before all courts of the State of California, and am a partner in the firm of Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles, P.C., attorneys of record for Petitioner Angelina Jolie Pitt. I have personal knowledge of the following facts, and if called as a witness, I could and would competently testify thereto.
2. Our firm has represented Petitioner since September 2016. On Sept. 19, 2016, our firm filed a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage from Respondent William Bradley Pitt on Petitioner's behalf. A true and correct copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached as Exhibit A. The Petition included custody requests regarding the parties' six minor children...
3. It is my understanding that on Sept. 14, 2016, the parties and their minor children were involved in an incident during a flight from Europe to California. As a consequence of that incident, the DCFS and the FBI initiated investigations regarding allegations of abuse.
4. It is my further understanding that since the Sept. 14, 2016 incident, the minor children have lived exclusively with Petitioner. Respondent has had weekly therapeutic visits with the minor children since Oct. 8, 2016. The frequency and duration of these visits have been determined by the minor children's therapists, who were put in place jointly by the parties immediately after the Sept. 14, 2016 incident. The therapists have been present during each of the Respondent's visits. With the cooperation of the parties, further weekly therapeutic visits of 5 hours each have been scheduled through the end of January 2017. Respondent's visits may increase at any time based on the therapists' evaluation of each child's individual feelings and progress.
5. On Oct. 26, 2016, the parties executed a Stipulation and Order re Child Custody and Therapy (Custody Stipulation). A true correct copy of the Custody Stipulation is attached as Exhibit B.
The Custody Stipulation memorializes the custody and visitation arrangement set forth above and incorporates recommendations made by DCFS. I have not attached copies of documents our office received from DCFS in order to protect the minor children's privacy and to comply with confidentiality statutes.
6. Approximately one week after the Custody Stipulation was executed, our office received a copy of Respondent's Response and Request for Dissolution of Marriage. A true and correct copy of the Response and Request for Dissolution of Marriage filed on Nov. 4, 2016 is attached as Exhibit C. Our office previously granted Respondent an open extension of time to file his response; there was no deadline to file.
7. By mid-November, our office began receiving demands from Respondent's counsel for increased visitation which was not recommended by the minor children's therapists and not agreed upon when the parties entered into the Custody Stipulation less than one month earlier. True and correct copies of Respondent's counsel's letters of Nov. 17, 2016 and Nov 21, 2016 demanding additional visitation are attached collectively as Exhibit D. In both face to face meetings and written correspondence, our office maintained that it was premature to end the therapeutic monitoring only weeks after executing the Custody Stipulation encompassing both the therapists' and DCFS's recommendations. A true and correct copy of my letter of Nov 18, 2016 clearly outlining our position is attached as Exhibit E.
8. Our office requested a joint meeting with both parties' counsel and the minor children's therapists to get their impressions. For weeks, Respondent's counsel indicated Respondent would not consent to such a meeting. Respondent's counsel instead continued to demand additional visitation for Respondent without regard for the mental health professionals' recommendations. A true and correct copy of our email exchange on Nov 28 / 29 2016 detailing additional demands is attached as exhibit F.
9. On Dec 1, 2016, our office finally received Respondent's consent to conduct a joint meeting with counsel and therapists the following week. However, Respondent's request for additional visitation in an non-therapeutic setting was not withdrawn and his counsel continued to advise that they intended to file a Request for Order. Our office therefore sent a letter to Respondent's counsel of Dec 1, 2016 requesting compliance with the Custody Stipulation and the therapists' recommendations. A true and correct copy of our Dec 1, 2016 letter is attached as Exhibit G.
10. On Dec. 2, 2016, our office received a response to my letter of the previous day which again suggested that Respondent sought additional visitation with the minor children and would be requesting same from the court. A true and correct copy of the Dec. 2, 2016 letter is attached as Exhibit H. The same day we filed a copy of the Custody Stipulation with the Court for enforcement purposes.
11. On Dec 6, 2016 our office received ex parte notice of Respondent's intent to apply for orders sealing the file in this case. A true an correct copy of the Dec. 6, 2016 letter confirming notice is attached as Exhibit I
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed this 6th day of December 2016 at Los Angeles, California
LAURA A. WASSER
====
Dear Lance
I am in receipt of your letter of November 17, 2016. With regard to items 1 and 2, I believe it is important to rely on the suggestion confirmed in item 5 of your letter. As I said during our conversation yesterday, we believe that the children's therapists, Catherine Green and Angela Bissada are in the best position to determine whether Dr. Salk is necessary in the current therapy process. As you are aware, both Angela Bissada and Ian Russ have extensive training and experience in therapy of trauma issues. If the therapists feel that Dr. Salk could be a valuable addition to the team, we will certainly confer with our client.
With regard to the frequency of therapy sessions, you state that they need to be increased to at least twice a week and that Brad wants to designate the location for these sessions in order to facilitate consistency. I am wondering about you choice of the word "need" and again defer to the therapists to determine frequency. As to location, I am certain that the parties, with the help of their security team, can come up with a venue that makes sense for this family.
You will recall that only three weeks ago we signed a custody Stipulation and a week and a half ago Ian disseminated his recommendations. I understand that a schedule for the visits is in place through January. Please explain what has changed since October 26 and/or November 9, 2016.
With regard to an agreement that we request that the Court seal the custody pleadings, please specify what custody pleadings you intend to file. To my knowledge, we are currently operating under the terms of he Stipulation and following the Nov. 9, 2016 recommendations. Nothing further should be filed until next February at the earliest. It is my hope that we will be able to resolve custody issues in this case without the need for litigation. During our discussions, you have indicated that you agree. Continued rhetoric regarding a stipulation to seal pleadings we hope not to file seems counter intuitive.
During our 11:30 a.m. call yesterday, you asked whether it was acceptable that you spoke to Ian Russ unilaterally. I advised that it was. I was not aware that Azita and Gary were meeting with Ian while we were having our conversation wherein you confirmed our authorization for such communications.
Today Samantha and I met with Ian at his request. We believe that rather than separate meetings, an all-hands meeting which includes Ian Russ, Angela Bissada, Catherine Green, Judy Goldman, Lisa Hacker and the parties' Family Law attorneys would be most productive. I think that in order to be good liaisons between our clients and the mental health professionals, it is important we hear what they have to say firsthand and at the same time. Perhaps such a meeting could prove helpful in resolving some, if not all, of the issues raised in your letters of Nov 15 and Nov. 17, 2016.
Please let me know your thoughts.
cc Angelina Jolie (via email)
Samantha Klein
======
Nov. 21
Re Marriage of Pitt
Dear Laura:
This is in response to your correspondence dated Nov. 18, 2016 and initially reviewed this morning.
I am concerned that there has been a breakdown in communications. My proposals regarding Dr. Salk, frequency of sessions and location were in response to your question of how to stay focused on therapy efforts rather than litigation. I was not inviting debate about the needs for Dr. Salk or increased frequency and was not suggesting an all hands discussion regarding those subjects.
During our conversation, I asked about my contacting the children's therapists, not Dr. Russ. I was aware that the lawyers could meet with Dr. Russ and in fact both Gary and I previously have met with him.
Based on Dr. Salk's reputation and experience, we believe that he would provide assistance to the experts and the parties in dealing with the trauma concerns. The request for increased frequency and location were based on several factors, including the difficulty in scheduling and last-minute changes that have impeded the process.
Our client has made a major effort and commitment to the ongoing therapy efforts. However, his limited access to the children is not acceptable. My original message was and is that unless there are changes to the process, it is not going to accomplish its objectives.
Please advise whether your client will agree to Dr. Salk and commit to increasing the frequency of sessions with the children.
cc Brad Pitt
Nov. 28 5:43 PM
Between now and the start of the holidays/school break, Brad is requesting 30 to 60 minutes sessions to be scheduled as follows: 1 session with the twins, 1 sessions with the middle kids, 1 session with all 4, one session with the older boys and if they are not going to participate, another session with the 4 younger kids.
Darren, Michael O. or Richie can be present. The sessions will be at a home that is approximately 10 minutes from your clients residence.
There will be a request for a step-up in connection with the holidays/school break
Please let me know good time for us to talk tomorrow.
====
To Laura Wasser
cc Alicia Thomas
Nov. 29 10:38 AM
Re Access outside of therapy
Laura,
For the past 3 months, Brad has complied with every aspect of the therapy process, notwithstanding ongoing concerns that the therapy team has ignored or disregarded issues that he has raised. At the same time, the process has been hampered by scheduling and other logistical problems that have resulted in significant periods of no contact between Brad and the children. His access to the children is and has been far more limited than it should be and is much less than any judge is likely to order on a going forward basis.
As I mentioned yesterday, it would be misleading for me to tell you that the request for access may be impacted by the opinions of the kids' therapists. Regardless of their views, there is no reason for Brad not to request court orders that are likely to include more access than I proposed yesterday. If your client is willing to agree to our proposal, we can avoid the necessity of filing an RFO and the meeting next week can be for the purpose of us telling the therapists that the parties have agreed to non-therapy access.
Bottom line is that I need to know whether your client will agree to yesterday's proposal.
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Dec 1, 2016
Re Marriage of Jolie Pitt
Dear Lance,
Our meeting yesterday left me feeling disconcerted. You have told us that you intend to file a request for additional non-therapeutic visitation and do not seem to have any regard for what the children's therapists feel is in their best interests.
I understand that Brad is frustrated but feel that it is incumbent upon us to help this family achieve their long-term reunification goals in a smooth and expeditious manner. Litigation absolutely does not effectuate that goal.
Is it not the end goal that within the next 6-12 months Brad is enjoying frequent and continuous contact with all of the children on a joint custodial basis? If we know that we will get to that point via either costly, ugly, protracted and public court battles or by virtue of out-of-court resolution and the therapeutic process upon which we all agreed less than a month ago, why would you opt to blow it all up and choose the former?
Please give the therapists a chance to tell us how the kids are feeling. I absolutely know that it will not be dispositive of your/your client's decision on how to proceed but I cannot imagine that it will not shape how we move forward.
There must be a middle ground upon which we can all agree, one which does not necessitate a public battle. Angie's reluctance to enter into a stipulation to seal the file stems from her firm belief that litigation is the wrong decision.
We have discussed a custody evaluation in this matter. As we advised yesterday, we are agreeable and would like it to commence immediately. We propose that Dr. Lulow be appointed. Is Brad agreeable? You have told us that you will not agree to the appointment of minor's counsel. We feel it is essential that the children have advocates who can communicate with the evaluator or the judge on their behalf. Will you reconsider? We also propose that the parties participate in joint sessions with a trauma specialist so that they may learn how to best support and interact with their children given their current state.
Please consider and ask your client to engage with us in trying to figure out how to effectively satisfy this family's concerns.
Laura A. Wasser
cc Angelina Jolie
Samantha Klein
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Dec 2, 2016
Re Marriage of Pitt
Dear Laura
This is in response to your letter dated Dec. 1, 2016
The message that I attempted to deliver on Wednesday was that it is inconceivable to me that the court will not provide Brad with much greater access to the children than the time that I proposed earlier this week. It would be an extraordinary understatement to describe Brad as an involved parent. Based on evidence that has been corroborated by multiple sources (including public and private statements from your client), he has been a great father and there is no reason to exclude him from the children, including the isolated incident that was investigated and rejected by the DCFS.
As you know, we have confirmed that we will be present for the meeting on Monday. However, I have to tell you that this case is not going to end up in a court room because of my reluctance to listen to the therapists. If there is litigation, it is going to be because your client is either unable or unwilling to recognize that the children need to continue to have two loving parents in their lives.
I will get back to you regarding Dr. Lulow and on Monday I hope that you will be able to respond to Brad's request regarding the holidays.
cc Brad Pitt
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From Laura Wasser
To Lance Spiegel
cc Samantha Klein, Linda Bigbee
Subject Jolie / Pitt
Dec. 2, 2:41PM
Lance -
Yesterday morning I sent you a letter regarding various custody issues and have yet to receive a response. We believe it is prudent to commence a child custody evaluation and to appoint minors' counsel. You have made it clear that Brad intends to file an RFO for increased custodial time next week and that nothing the therapists say during our meeting on Monday will change Brad's position. Therefore, we will be filing the Stipulation & Order Re Custody and Therapy. We have repeatedly attempted to avoid any court intervention. Brad's position made that impossible.
****
STIPULATION AND ORDER RE CHILD CUSTODY AND THERAPY
Petitioner and Respondent ...hereby stipulate to the following temporary orders:
Pending written agreement of the parties or further order of the court-
- Petitioner shall have physical custody of the children.
- Respondent shall continue to have agreed upon therapeutic visitation. The frequency and conditions of the visits shall be determined by Ian Russ, PhD. Prior to making such determination, Dr. Russ shall consult with Lisa Hacker, Judy Goldman, Angela Bissada and Catherine Green. Dr. Russ shall at all times consider the best interests of the minor children.
- Respondent shall continue to participate in individual therapy a minimum of one time per a week for no less than 50 minutes per session. At the conclusion of each month Respondent shall provide Dr. Russ with proof of his ongoing participation in individual therapy as set forth in this paragraph.
- Respondent shall continue to participate in group therapy a minimum of one time per a week. At the conclusion of each month Respondent shall provide Dr. Russ with proof of his ongoing participation in group therapy as set forth in this paragraph
- Respondent shall continue to submit to random drug and alcohol testing as directed by Dr. Robert Waldman. The random testing shall not exceed one time per week and there shall be a minimum of 4 tests every 30 days. Within 24 hours of receipt, Dr. Waldman shall provide Dr. Russ with Respondent's test results.
- the minor children shall continue to participate in individual counseling, the frequency and duration of the minor children's therapy shall be as recommended by Angela Bissada and Catherine Green.
- Petitioner, Respondent, and the minor children shall continue to participate in conjoint sessions.
All communications are considered "safe harbor therapy" and protected by psychotherapist-patient privilege.
Confidentiality: "In the interest of privacy of the parties and their minor children. this Stipulation and Order is not being submitted to the Court for entry at this time. Nonetheless, upon execution, this Stipulation and Order shall be effective between the parties as a valid and binding agreement, whether or not it is ever entered by the Court. Either party may file this Stipulation and Order with the Court as necessary to enforce any term contained herein."
Dated and signed by all parties Oct 26, 2016
