Angelina Jolie Drops Pitt Last Name, Report Says

A file photo shows Brad Pitt, and Angelina Jolie (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

After dominating tabloid headlines for years, “Brangelina” is almost no more.

On April 12, a judge ruled that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie can be legally single, which is known as bifurcation. They will then have to settle their finances and custody of their children, reported People magazine.

The Blast reported on April 16 that Jolie officially dropped Pitt’s last name to simply “Jolie,” and the report noted that Pitt filed financial information in the divorce proceedings, which means the couple is close to a final judgment.

Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in September 2016. After that, a tense custody battle over their six children ensued between the pair.

A source told People magazine in April that the A-list celebrities “are focused on what’s best for the kids.” Another source also told Entertainment Tonight that Jolie was “pleased to be entering the next stage and relieved at the progress for the health of their family.”

A file photo from Nov. 5, 2015. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

In 2018, the two worked out an agreement over the custody of 17-year-old Maddox, 15-year-old Pax, 14-year-old Zahara, 12-year-old Shiloh, and 10-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

“A custody arrangement was agreed to weeks ago, and has been signed by both parties and the judge,” Jolie’s attorney, Samantha Bley DeJean, told the news outlet.

“The agreement, which is based on the recommendations of the child custody evaluator, eliminates the need for a trial. The filing and details of the agreement are confidential to protect the best interests of the children,” the statement added.

In April 2018, court documents Jolie had accused Pitt of not paying enough child support before an agreement was hashed out. “[Pitt] has a statutory duty to pay child support. As of present, [Pitt] has paid no meaningful child support since separation,” Jolie’s attorney said at the time, CNN reported.

Actor Brad Pitt (C), (L-R) Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, Jane Pitt, and William Pitt attend the premiere of Universal Studios' "Unbroken" (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

The couple met while making “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” before dating a year later, in 2006. In 2014, they married at a chateau in the South of France.

“To the surprise of many of their closest friends, their communication has improved tremendously and they’re both dedicated to co-parenting,” a source also told Entertainment Tonight on April 15. “Their kids have a custody schedule and that’s made a huge difference for the whole family. The schedule has alleviated any of the planning pressures Brad and Angelina have faced in the past. Now the kids spend time with both their parents and are happy and thriving.”

Bifurcation

Website USLegal says, “In family law, bifurcation occurs when the divorce is determined separately from the related issues of custody and visitation, child support, alimony, and property division.”

In an example of bifurcation, a judge “will grant a divorce judgment without hearing evidence or making a ruling on such issues as division of marital property, child custody or spousal support (alimony),” says Law.com’s dictionary section.

Actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt pose for photographers on the red carpet at the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Opera House in London on Feb. 16, 2014. (Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

“Thus the parties can be free of each other promptly while still fighting over other issues at their leisure. In a negligence case when the question of responsibility (liability) is clearly in doubt or rests on some legal technicality, the court may bifurcate the issues and hear evidence on the defendant’s liability and decide that issue before going ahead with a trial on the amount of damages,” it adds.

Notable Celebrity Deaths in 2019

Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle and Lauren London arrive at the Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy Celebration at Nomad Hotel Los Angeles in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 7, 2019. The rapper was shot dead in late March. (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)

Luke Perry

Undated file photo of Luke Perry. (photo by Newsmakers)

Peter Tork

Peter Tork of the Monkees passed away at 77 in February 2019 (Getty Images | Noel Vasquez)

Albert Finney

British actor Albert Finney died in February 2019 at the age of 82. (Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images)

James Ingram

Longtime R&B singer James Ingram died in late January. Quincy Jones, a collaborator of his, wrote: “With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James Ingram was simply magical ... every beautiful note that James sang pierced your essence and comfortably made itself at home.”

Singer James Ingram has died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer, according to reports on Jan. 29. (Getty Images)

Fatima Ali

“Top Chef” alum Fatima Ali died on Friday, January 25, after a battle with terminal cancer. She was 29.

Former “Top Chef” contestant Bruce Kalman paid tribute to her: “It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Fatima Ali today, as she has lost her battle with cancer,” he wrote

“Top Chef” star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram / Selfie)

Carol Channing

Carol Channing in Concord, N.H. Channing, whose career spanned decades on Broadway and on television has died at age 97. Publicist B. Harlan Boll says Channing died of natural causes early in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2019. (Jim Cole/AP Photo, File)

Bob Einstein

Bob Einstein in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Comedian and actor Bob Einstein died on Jan. 2 after a battle with cancer. He was 76.

Daryl Dragon

Daryl 'The Captain' Dragon beside his ex-wife, Toni Tennille, wearing his signature captain's hat. (Hillel Italie/AP)

Daryl Dragon, or “Captain,” of pop group Captain and Tennille, died on Jan. 2 of renal failure.