Brad Pitt Will Do Whatever It Takes To Be With His Children As Divorce Negotiations Intensify 

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are deep in negotiations over their divorce — and their children’s future.

“The divorce negotiations have intensified, with the focus being on custody,” a source close to the situation tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.

And Pitt vows to do whatever he needs to do to spend time with his children amid an investigation by L.A.’s Department of Children and Family Services following allegations he was verbally abusive and got physical with their oldest son, Maddox, during a fight on the family’s private plane.

“Brad loves his children more than anything in this world, and they matter more than anything else to him,” a Pitt source tells PEOPLE. “He will do whatever it takes to be with them, now and always.”

On Sept. 30, Jolie, 41, and Pitt, 52, agreed to a temporary plan recommended by DCFS: Until Oct. 20 the children will remain with Jolie, while Pitt is getting visitation with a therapist present for the first meeting. Along with family therapy, both Jolie and Pitt will undergo individual counseling, and Pitt will continue voluntary drug and alcohol testing.

Watch more on People Cover Story: Brad & Angelina’s Family Secrets,  

available now on the new People/Entertainment Weekly Network (PEN). Go to PEOPLE.com/PEN, or download the PEN app on Apple TV, Roku Players, Amazon Fire TV, Xumo, Chromecast, iOS and Android devices.

Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie People Cover

Jolie requested sole physical custody of their six children in her divorce filing with visitation for Pitt, while Pitt wants shared custody.

A source has said Pitt was drunk on the plane, and as an argument spun out of control, the actor ““made contact” with Maddox “in the shoulder area” but didn’t hurt him.

But those close to the actress say her concerns go beyond just a drunken outburst.

“This was more serious than that,” says a source. “She did what she felt she had to do to protect the safety of the kids.”

1. Angelina Jolie and Kids Are In Therapy: ‘It’s Been a Traumatic Situation,’ Says Source

2. Melissa Etheridge Slams Angelina Jolie, Speaks Out in Support of Brad Pitt

3. WATCH: Jennifer Aniston Has an Adorable Copilot in New Emirates Ad (Plus, Exclusive Bloopers!)

4. Laura Prepon and Ben Foster Engaged: What to Know About the Ultra-Private Couple

5. What Does Olivia Newton-John Think of