In 2014, two of the most glamorous and wealthy film-stars of a generation, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, got married. With experience of failed marriages on both sides, and a Pre-Nuptial Agreement beforehand , when the couple split two years later, it was assumed the separation would be swift and clean, so why has it taken eight years to resolve this high profile legal battle? Dutton Gregory’s Karen Andrews explains…
Public accusations were made, disputed issues were exposed, and it became clear any trust that had previously existed between the couple known as ‘Brangelina’ had evaporated. Under Californian law they were able to obtain a divorce by 2019 without conceding certain aspects of their case. But it took until 30 December 2024 to conclude their financial and parental claims.
Jolie and Pitt’s case is definitely not typical. We are looking here at a complex ‘Hollywood’ divorce where the parties had more to lose than just money, needed to protect their images, and had plenty of time and money to fight in both the Courts of Law and Public Opinion. Put another way, they had no incentive to settle early.
Whilst any divorce can take a physical, emotional and financial toll on the parties, stress (and delay to proceedings) can be minimised in most cases if the issues in dispute are identified and handled sensitively from the start, with the benefit of sensible legal advice and support throughout. In the UK court system, no aspect of the legal procedure favours delay or costly litigation, and instead it encourages the parties (and their lawyers) to adopt a sensible and focussed approach from day one.
Is 8 years excessive? YES! That is why it made such a news story. Certain aspects of Jolie and Pitt’s case meant it took far longer than usual, including very high emotions, intensely disputed custody applications, and complicated shared business interests (including a multi-million dollar business in Europe) - not to mention the removal of the original judge part way through the case owing to a potential conflict of interest!
Do ‘normal’ cases involving the likes of you and I take that long? VERY RARELY! In my entire career of over 30 years, I have dealt with a few highly contested cases that have taken a few years, but in reality that’s highly unusual. A typical divorce case (excluding children and finances) will usually take approximately seven months (from the issue of the application to the order dissolving the marriage). Children and finances are dealt with separately and can sometimes take a little longer if the court is required to intervene (an average of 12 – 18 months). Each case is different, of course, and do bear in mind that if the parties are able to agree terms then it is possible, and very common, to conclude everything within the seven month divorce period.
At the end of 8 years Angelina walked away with approximately $80 million. Hopefully both she and Brad will now be able to move on and find happiness after what must have been a gruelling time for them both; at least one recent newspaper article referred to Angelina having “dragged [Brad] through the ringer”. Such language is highly emotive and likely to worry anyone reading it and considering a divorce themselves. Please, however, don’t let any concerns you might have stop you from seeking advice before you make any important decisions.
Instead, contact our family team here at Dutton Gregory where we will be happy to discuss your case with you.
