The Pitt-Jolie Divorce Goes From Highly Public to Private

On behalf of Scaringi Law posted in Family Law on Thursday, January 19, 2017.

Any Pennsylvania resident who follows the lives and times of celebrities already knows about the drama that was unfolding between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Even though there could continue to be stories about the family, the details of their divorce will no longer be part of the news. Perhaps moving from a contentious divorce to a more amicable and private one is a step that other couples could emulate.

Pitt and Jolie agreed to use a private judge to settle the remainder of their issues and requested that the court seal their divorce documents. Even though resolving the marital issues of ordinary Pennsylvania couples are of no interest to most people, it does not mean that the example is any less important. Keeping these matters private by staying out of the courtroom might just be a bonus for non-celebrities, but it can be an incentive for many people.

Another benefit of staying out of court is time. Going through the court system often takes more time than it would for the parties to negotiate their own settlement. The more time goes by, the greater the possibility that a couple will find other things to argue about. In addition, court battles often end up costing much more than other, more private methods.

Going through a divorce is never easy, but going through the traditional adversarial process only makes it more difficult for many Pennsylvania couples. Other alternatives are not only less expensive and less time-consuming, but also give couples more control over the outcome. By working together to negotiate a settlement, couples could find they are more satisfied with the final product and feel as though they were treated fairly.

Source: CNBC, "How to divorce like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie", Jessica Dickler, Jan. 11, 2017