I genuinely have a wave of sadness whenever I’m pulling photos for these Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt divorce stories. There are so many photos, so many happy Brangelina memories. It’s sad to think that they’ll never walk a red carpet together again. Anyway, what fresh hell has the Brangelina Divorce vomited up this time? This story isn’t too bad, actually. It’s just a technical update on the custody issue, which is basically the only issue Brad and Angelina are fighting about. Angelina doesn’t want Brad’s money, she reportedly just wants the kids. So far, Brad and Angelina have been working closely with a family counselor/psychiatrist and the family court’s recommendations. Brad gets monitored visits with the kids, and everybody goes to group therapy. And that’s what this “new” custody arrangement is all about – it’s basically a solidification of that plan, and a statement that the permanent custody issue has yet to be worked out.

Brad Pitt’s child custody arrangement with Angelina Jolie is in the hands of one man … according to docs filed by Jolie. Right now, the exes and their 6 kids are operating under a temporary custody deal agreed upon by both sides. As we’ve reported … she has primary custody and Brad gets monitored visits, but the docs Angelina filed spell out the details.

According to the docs … when and how Brad sees the children is determined by a psychologist who specializes in child custody issues. The deal says, the “frequency and conditions of the therapeutic visitation shall be determined by Ian Russ, Ph.D.” Brad and Angie also must participate in group therapy sessions with the kids. The terms of this deal must stay in place until there’s a court order, or both parents agree to change it.

Additionally, the docs say Brad will submit to random drug and alcohol tests at least 4 times per month. Pitt and Jolie made this arrangement in October, while Brad was still under investigation by the DCFS, but as we’ve reported … the agency cleared him of any wrongdoing a month ago.

Jolie’s filing essentially memorializes the temporary deal with the court. The judge signed it on Friday.

[From TMZ]

Sounds pretty reasonable to me. I keep getting the feeling that Brad is going out of his way to meet all of Angelina’s conditions and be seen as following the very letter and essence of all the family court’s recommendations. That’s smart for a lot of reasons – even if it looks like Brad is losing some “battles,” he will likely win the “war.” Meaning, at the end of the day, he’ll be seen as a fit parent who jumped through hoops to have access to his kids by any means necessary. Meaning, he’ll get joint custody in the end. I have to think that Angelina knows that too?

Photos courtesy of WENN.