Jolie Files Opposition to Pitt's Discovery Request
Angelina Jolie has formally opposed Brad Pitt's request for her financial records spanning 2017 to 2019 in the ongoing legal battle over Château Miraval. According to court documents filed on June 26 and reported by People, Jolie's legal team argues that Pitt's characterization of her position is inaccurate and that she has never alleged financial vulnerability.
Background of the Dispute
Pitt's legal team had argued that Jolie made her financial condition a central issue in the case, thus making her historical financial records relevant. They pointed to her earnings from major film projects during that period, including Maleficent and Eternals, suggesting these could challenge her claims. However, Jolie's lawyers strongly disputed this, stating that her filings have consistently focused on achieving financial independence from Pitt after their marriage breakdown, not on financial need.
The filing emphasizes that the issue was never whether Jolie needed money. Instead, she sought to untangle her finances from what she described as a controlling and abusive former spouse. Her legal team maintains that this distinction is central to the case and that Pitt's interpretation is inaccurate.
Details of the Legal Arguments
In his June 18 filing, Pitt claimed Jolie had alleged financial vulnerability after their separation and sought records relating to her earnings, including income and profit participation from film projects between 2017 and 2019. Jolie's lawyers responded that she has never alleged financial distress. They argued that she sought financial independence by separating herself from Pitt following their divorce proceedings.
Jolie's team also noted that she has already provided tax returns and profit participation statements for 2020 and 2021, despite believing she was not required to do so. Her lawyers further contended that forcing her to produce earlier financial records would amount to a serious invasion of her privacy. They accused Pitt's legal team of relying on selective quotations and inaccurate paraphrasing rather than what had actually been pleaded before the court.
Broader Legal Battle Over Château Miraval
The dispute is part of the wider legal battle surrounding Château Miraval, the French winery the former couple once jointly owned. Pitt first sued Jolie in February 2022 after she sold her interest in the estate to a subsidiary of the Stoli Group. He alleged the sale breached an agreement that neither party would sell their share without the other's consent. Jolie later filed a countersuit, accusing Pitt of waging a vindictive campaign against her after she filed for divorce in 2016.
The legal fight has continued even after the former couple finalized their divorce settlement in December 2024. Last month, Pitt secured a procedural victory when a California court allowed members of the Stoli Group to be questioned under oath regarding Jolie's sale of her stake in Château Miraval.
Jolie's Position on Privacy and Discovery
Jolie's legal team argues that discovery requests should be based on the legal claims as filed rather than interpretations designed to attract public attention. They maintain that Pitt's request is an attempt to invade her privacy and harass her, rather than a legitimate effort to obtain relevant evidence. The court has yet to rule on the motion, and the case continues to unfold.
