Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's divorce has taken a huge turn

Here's what we know so far...

(Image credit: Rex)

Here's what we know so far...

Despite filing for divorce 20 months ago, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's custody battle is still ongoing - yes, really.

When Angelina Jolie originally filed for primary physical custody of their six children back in 2016, Brad Pitt kept a relatively low profile, and although we knew they were disputing over custody in court, little news has since emerged.

This month however, the former couple's divorce has taken a turn, with a court order issued last week over the custody of Maddox, 16, Pax, 14, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and 9-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox.

The verdict? Angelina is reportedly required to give Brad more access to their children.

angelina jolie

Angelina Jolie with her family and the cast of First They Killed My Father. Credit: Rex
(Image credit: Rex)

Angelina, who has primary custody of their three daughters and three sons, was reportedly told by the judge to improve her estranged husband's access and relationship to their children.

How is this happening?

Brad has apparently been given unrestricted phone rights. This means that that the 43-year-old actress must provide her former husband with the mobile phone numbers of each child and allow them to be in contact with their father at any time, with an additional clause that she is not allowed to monitor the text messages or phone calls.

Additionally, the court is said to have arranged a summer visitation schedule for the couple, apparently including supervised visits with physicians, and it is said that when the children are with Brad, Angelina is restricted to one phone call a day - scheduled at a prearranged time.

Not only this but according to CNN, the court order issued last week requires Angelina to tell her children that they are 'safe with their father' and that the 'court has determined that not having a relationship with their father is harmful to them'.

Opening up about Angelina's approach to the divorce proceedings, a source told PEOPLE, 'she will focus only on their children and being with them'.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.