A judge has unsealed the documents related to the divorce of Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and first lady Diane Bentley.
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The governor’s office announced that the couple had reached a settlement on Monday.
The decree, issued by Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Philip Lisenby, incorporates a settlement both parties submitted to the court Monday. The couple separated in January.
Gov. Bentley was awarded possession of the couple’s marital home in Tuscaloosa, though Dianne Bentley will take most of the furniture and will have the right to live at the residence through December of 2017.
Dianne Bentley filed for divorce on August 28 saying the marriage had suffered an “irretrievable breakdown” and cited “complete incompatibility of temperament” in the filing. The couple did exchange anniversary greetings through their social media accounts on their 50th anniversary on July 24.
A judge approved a motion filed by both parties to seal the record in their divorce proceedings. The media outlets involved in the motion requested the documents be unsealed to see if there is any information of interest to the public.
“The last four weeks have been a very hard time for my family and for our state”. He says he is grateful for people’s encouragement and prayers.
Governor Robert Bentley is moving ahead with plans to close a few driver’s license offices, Alabama National Guard Armories, and – potentially – a few state parks.
The governor submitted a brief response saying those claims were untrue; however, he did not fight the divorce proceeding.
The Bentleys met as students at the University of Alabama. Dianne Bentley said during campaign interviews that she worked in medical labs for $325 a month to help put him through medical school. They have four sons and eight grandchildren.
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Mrs. Bentley has said she was never excited about being a politician’s wife, adding she was a shy person and uncomfortable with people and crowds. She often drove him to his early campaign events because his campaign could not afford many paid staff members.
